Teen’s Balloon Message to Deceased Dad is Answered

A teen girl's balloon letter to her late dad floated off into the sky and eventually landed in the compassionate hands of a woman more than 400 miles away.

16-year-old Ashlynn Marracino of California lost her dad in 2010, and every year since then, on his birthday, she's written a letter to him on a balloon and released it into the sky. Ashlynn never had much of a relationship with her dad because he was in prison for the first 10 years of her life, but they became very close after his release.

With each balloon, she writes everything she wants to tell him and she says it's like therapy for her. This year's letter read,

"I’ve been playing softball for 11 years now. Can you believe it? I hope you helped me out with all those home runs. I don’t like how I never had you in my life. It’s not fair. Show me a sign please. Anything to let me know you’re there. I miss you so much and I want you back.”

The balloon traveled 436 miles north and landed outside of a restaurant, where the owner picked it up and read it. Lisa Swisley was so touched by the letter that she went on Facebook to track down Ashlynn. She says she wanted to do something nice for her. Lisa recently started a Pay It Forward Facebook page for her community and shared Ashlynn's letter. People immediately started sending her cards and packages. She believes this is the sign she's been hoping for from her dad.