Get to Know Us
Nelson and Crystal McDaniel have been married for 23 years and face the challenge of being estranged from their daughter Rachel after a strained conversation that Crystal had with her in September of 2023. This event has propelled them on a spiritual journey of walking closer to God, leaning on their faith in Jesus, and using therapeutic tools to heal and grow. Despite the challenges they face, Nelson and Crystal remain committed to their family and their faith.
Welcome to Strangely Estranged
A safe place for parents navigating the heartache of estrangement from adult children.
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If you’ve found your way here, it means you’re carrying a quiet, heavy pain—a distance that feels both strange and deeply familiar. You might feel misunderstood, isolated, or unsure how to heal. Here, you are not alone.
I’m Crystal McDaniel, my husband Nelson and I, understand this journey intimately. Strangely Estranged is a space where you can find honest stories, gentle guidance, and practical tools to help you cope, reflect, and reclaim your own joy—whether or not reconciliation ever happens.
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Through writing, healing prompts, and community, I hope to walk alongside you, offering hope in the silence and strength for the road ahead.
Take your time here. Read what resonates. And remember: healing isn’t about fixing the past—it’s about learning to live fully despite it.
You are brave. You are seen. And you are welcome here.
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— Crystal
Strangely Estranged – Sharing Stories, Finding Support, and Healing Together
To Download a Free First Steps to Healing Journal, click the button to the right titled, "Letters I Never Sent." Please Subscribe to our Blog, and join others in this estrangment support community. I am praying for you and your healing journey.