Teen's letter to dad in "heaven" gets a response
WHITTIER, Calif. -- Earlier this month, out of the clear blue sky, a small, Mylar balloon floated into the parking lot of the "Local Heroes" restaurant in Auburn, California. It was found by Lisa Sturgiss, the restaurant's owner.
"I saw some writing on it and started reading it a little bit and I'm - 'Oh, my gosh!'" said Sturgiss. "It was so deep and emotional."
The balloon was signed by a girl who lived 450 miles away in Whittier, California. Her name is Ashlynn Marracino. She's 16. And although she was happy to learn someone found her balloon, that restaurant was not her intended target. Ashlynn meant that balloon for her father.
"Have you ever let a balloon go and watch it?" Ashlynn asked me. "It really does look like it's going to heaven. And I want him to know that I still love him."
Scott Marracino died of an aneurysm in 2009 and Ashlynn has been sending him messages, on his birthday, ever since. On this balloon she wrote: "Dear Dad, you have missed so much and I miss you. There's this guy I met - Bryant. He's really nice, funny and sweet. I've been playing softball for 11 years. I'm hoping you're helping me get those home runs."
"I wanted to share my accomplishments, my life," Ashlynn said. "I wanted to tell him what he missed out on."
And most importantly, she wanted to apologize for all the times she didn't write. Scott spent a few years in jail for robbery. And during those years he sent Ashlynn hundreds of letters and handmade cards but Ashlynn says she never responded.
Even after he got out and turned his life around -- Ashlynn says sometimes she would still ignore his phone calls, including his very last one.
"I didn't answer the phone and what if he wanted to say, 'I love you?' said Ashlynn, as she wiped away tears. "I would have liked to say that back but I didn't get to."
How many of us go to bed at night with the same potential for regret? How many of us might one day be just this desperate for one last contact?
Fortunately for Ashlynn, she's pretty sure she got through this time. On the balloon she asked her dad for a sign -- and when someone, somehow, found her note, in the "Local Heroes" parking lot of all places -that was enough for her.
"Just gave me faith and hope again and reassurance and it's pretty amazing," said Ashlynn.
Take it from an angel.
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