“I am 3. I want a race car, clothes and a baby doll for Christmas. I get to open one present tonight. I want a real puppy. Daddy, can I have a real puppy?”

“When you get bigger.”

“I will take good care of her.”

“You will have to clean the poop and feed her.”

“I will feed her.”

“You aren’t taking a nap today. You are going to bed at 7. This is what 50 got me. She is 3 and I am 50. I was a running back at Fairhope High School back in the day and went to junior college in California. I have had custody since she was nine months. When she was born, her mama wanted to put her up for adoption. but her brother and I made a pinky promise that we wouldn’t give her away. She came out holding my finger. She is beautiful, just like her mama. I love being her daddy and taking her to the pier, that is where I grew up playing.

“What is one of your Christmas memories?”

“When I was in 8th grade and I realized my mama and daddy had other mouths to feed under me, so I stopped asking for much. We all live within walking distance of my mama. We will be there in the morning to open presents and eat. I need to learn how to cook so I can teach her. I have been blessed. I did everything I wanted to do with my life and now I can raise her. My grandmother has taught me to put everything in Christ’s hands. I wake up in the morning and ‘Daddy’ is the first thing I hear. I look forward to that every day.”