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Danny
Does Time
Danny
called me urgently one night in December. Knowing he was on a
limited budget, I tried to answer his questions quickly and
concisely, attempting to keep his long distance telephone
charges to a minimum.
But each answer I provided elicited a new question from him.
"Just one more question, please..." His questions soon
multiplied.
His 60 year old father was diagnosed with a rare intestinal
cancer the week before Christmas. Without any physicians
experienced in treating this cancer in the Seattle area, the
family was at loss for answers.
Adding to the distress was Danny's guilt from a ten year
estrangement with his dad. Recently reconciled in October, they
were trying to rebuild a relationship that had dwindled over the
years.
"I just got him back into my life, and now the cancer is going
to take him away from me!" Danny exclaimed.
The cause of their estrangement had been some foolish choices
Danny made in his youth. Sold a little dope. Did a little time.
But now he was back on track, making up for lost time with his
dad.
Danny was honest about the mistakes of his youth. He was
forthcoming about his commitment to start a new life.
Knowing the recidivism rate of parolees, I was impressed with
his recovery and goals. "Are you in a program?" I inquired,
referring to one of the twelve step programs.
"Yes!" he responded with enthusiasm. "I'm in the 'Get Up Early
and go to Work' Program!"
Within the past twenty-four hours since he first contacted me,
he has managed to telephone all four of the country's leading
experts in his dad's rare cancer. He scheduled appointments for
consultations between the surgeons and his father and began
arranging for the long distance travel the appointments would
require.
Although, during his incarceration, Danny lost time with his
father, he is now instrumental in adding time to his dad's life,
extending his father's future by taking proactive steps this
week to obtain the best possible medical care for his dad!
This is a true story from the lives of PMP Pals.
An Excerpt
from "Where the Red Tailed Hawk Flies"
Copyright 2001 by Gabriella Graham |
