Roman’s Prayer

Roman doesn’t remember what it was like to have daddy living at home with us. He was not even walking when Joel was incarcerated. But he knows that this isn’t the way it should be. He knows daddy belongs with us.

When Joel was in county jail awaiting placement in a federal facility, we could only visit for one hour at a time, separated by a window and walls. Our conversations took place through a phone. Roman would stand up against the window and pound on the glass yelling “Da-Da!” He wanted so badly to get to his dad.

Visits became so much easier and more personal for all of us when Joel was placed at Jesup because we were able to be right in the same room with him. Finally, Roman could sit on his daddy’s lap again, listen to stories, and snuggle. But the days are long. We leave the house before dawn.  I drag a sleeping little Roman out of his bed and buckle him into the car around 5:30 AM for the three plus hour drive to Georgia. Often as he wakes up he mumbles, “Are we going to see dad?” He has become accustomed to this ritual of being awaked while it’s still dark to go see dad.

Our trek to see Dad yesterday is one of our final trips. We have fewer than half a dozen left! Wow…that’s hard to believe.  It is truly the grace of God in our family’s life that keeps the boys interested in visiting their dad.  The days are long and exhausting. The visit room is often crowded and loud. But all of them, including Roman, ask me “When are we going to see Dad again?” And on days between visits, Roman prays,  “Please help my daddy to have a good day today even though he can’t be with me and he misses me. And amen.”


3 Responses to "Roman’s Prayer"

  • That’s so precious! I’m sure it’s both comforting and heart wrenching at the same time.
    When will you share details about your book with us? 🙂

    1 shilocain said this (April 23, 2012 at 11:10 am) Reply


  • Makes my heart smile!!!

    2 Chris said this (April 23, 2012 at 1:55 pm) Reply


  • Precious, precious.. and the grace of God.. Brings tears to my eyes.. Soooo very happy for you guys!!

    3 Teresa Dyck said this (April 23, 2012 at 4:29 pm) Reply


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