Ava visits Darrick in prison at Christmastime.
A prisoner named Darrick recently wrote a letter to Prison Fellowship to share his Angel Tree experience and his thanks for the difference the program has made in his relationship with his daughter.
Darrick writes:
Shortly before my daughter Ava’s fifth birthday, she asked, “Daddy, I want a princess doll. Will you get me one?” At the time the question crushed my spirit and wrenched my heart. In prison I had no way of obtaining the things she requested. I struggled to come up with an answer that would not disappoint her or offer false hope. I had been in prison for over half her life. Her simple question made me realize I had abandoned her by my incarceration; I placed myself in a situation where I could not do any of the things that a father should be able to do for his child. I had a constant fear that since I could not do for her, she would forget who I was or feel that I did not love her.
When I heard that Angel Tree would allow me to send my daughter a gift for Christmas along with a special note from me I got very excited. I grabbed an application from the chapel and as I walked to my cell I had a spring in my step as I realized I held in my hand a way to put a smile on Ava’s face and show her I was thinking about her. I felt a small measure of my dignity restored as I envisioned her opening a gift from me.
“Daddy, how did you know I like these toys? How did you get them? Is there a store in there?” Ava asked me during our visit shortly after Christmas. I swallowed the lump in my throat as my heart swelled with the pleasure of knowing she liked the gift.
“Well sweetheart, God helped me pick them out and He had some very special people bring them to you,” I replied as I struggled to answer her questions as best as I could.
“Thank you, Daddy, I love you!” To hear that meant more than words could express.
That was our first Angel Tree Christmas and we are looking forward to our second one this year. I feel so blessed to be able to do something for my daughter. My prayer is that God blesses all of the people that helped make this happen. Thank you Angel Tree!
Sincerely,
Darrick
Many parents who are in prison, like Darrick, feel they have abandoned their children and fear their kids will forget about them. But the Angel Tree program gives them the chance to take on a parental role at Christmas by sending a gift and a message of love to their kids. It helps these parents feel worthy of their children’s love again – worthy of being a mom or dad despite their past. It’s a new beginning for so many families.
Darrick shares how much it meant to hear his daughter say, “I love you.” This Christmas, please pray that children’s hearts will be opened to their parents, like Ava’s was, and that relationships will be renewed through the mighty power of Christ.
