It’s only been five years since Gloria’s daughter was sentenced to prison for the negligent homicide of Gloria’s then 18-month-old granddaughter, but the despair she once felt is slowly melting into hope as she sees the small ways that God is redeeming the terrible.
“It was all over the media,” Gloria remembers, about the day she and the rest of the world learned that her granddaughter had died. Her daughter, the mother of three small children, was at a low point in her life, Gloria explains. She had lost her job, her car, and her boyfriend had recently broken up with her. In a moment of desperation, the young woman left home for a few days. Gloria believes her daughter thought neighbors were going to take care of the children. But that didn’t happen.
A few days later, authorities found the three children alone. One of the toddlers had died from starvation. As Gloria reeled from the shocking loss of her granddaughter, she also had to battle the harsh reality of a daughter sentenced to prison, and the responsibility of caring for her two living grandchildren.
“I went through so, so much emotional stress,” she says.
Thankfully, she had a strong church community and many good friends. One woman, in particular, loved and supported Gloria emotionally.
“She told me that this incident would help me minister to other people,” she remembers.
This past Christmas, Gloria began to realize how true that could be. Not long before, Gloria learned about the ministry of Angel Tree, from her daughter, actually. Although her daughter’s parental rights had been terminated, and therefore could not sign her children up for Angel Tree, Gloria and a few ladies from her church signed up to give gifts to four other families of prisoners in their area (Pensacola, Florida).
Gloria took the gifts to all of the homes. One visit, in particular, left an impression. The family had three boys. The mother said her husband had been incarcerated for four years and most years she would have to pawn off items to afford Christmas presents for her sons.
“She was very grateful,” Gloria says.
Gloria hugged the woman and noticed the woman had a huge smile on her face.
“I felt a good feeling inside my heart. When we go through these things, we think we’re the only ones … nothing that we go through is just for ourselves. When we go through stuff, God sees the bigger picture and the bigger picture is that there are other people who need our help.”
Gloria plans to do Angel Tree again this year.
Click here to learn how you or members of your church or group can provide hope to a family this Christmas.