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Phoenix Dad
Darius Walker, Wisconsin USA
From DADLY Dads: Parent of the 21st Century Copyright © 2018 Motivational Press. Reprinted with permission. By Hogan Hilling and Austin Dowd.
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I’m a dad of one twenty-five-year-old son, Darius, Jr. I worked as a manager for a fast food chain before I committed a crime that dramatically changed the course of my life. In 1995 I was sentenced to life imprisonment for First Degree Intentional Homicide.
I had been living a life plagued by poor choices that included criminal activity and alcohol abuse. I’m forever remorseful for the death of the victim and especially his loved ones.
During my time in prison, I have risen like a Phoenix from the ashes and renewed my faith in God. I am a full-time college student, pursuing a Bachelor of Ministry Degree. I’ve also developed my love for the arts and music. I enjoy singing, songwriting and rapping. I use music to express how much I admire and love my son, who is a gifted musician and artist. I also enjoy watching sports.
I’ve learned to set my ego aside and am determined to continue learning how to be the best dad I can be during my incarceration.
Quote.
Pride is a learning disability.– Darius Walker
What I do well as a dad.
I don’t allow the concrete prison walls to keep me from building a father-child relationship with my son. I also encourage my son to be great, remind him that he can do anything and to appreciate the many opportunities he has to live a successful and productive life.
What I learned from another dad.
I learned that communication, accountability, and consistency are crucial to building a successful parent-child relationship. Even though I did not set a good example by my incarceration for my son, I still have time to serve as a better role model for him.
Lesson learned from a child.
A child needs to experience a parent’s love in action, not in theory. My son doesn’t ask me for material things. What he expects me to do is make my presence felt in his life by being open and honest when we discuss life issues, experiences and thoughts with each other.
This is even more important since my incarceration. While concrete prison walls and fences keep us apart, I feel I’m still responsible for staying emotionally connected with him in ways that will offer him words of encouragement and to show him his wellbeing is my top priority.
Successful fatherhood moment.
My son expressed his desire to play drums. I saved money from my prison earnings for a year to buy him a drum machine.
Dad I admire.
Pastor Jerry North of Provision Ministry. I met him in prison while he worked as the chaplain for another correctional facility. He was my first pastor and became my surrogate father.
I watched him humble himself to serve other people through the love of God and mankind. He taught me the true meaning of unconditional love by his actions and how to endure life. He also inspired me how to love without judgment and to always be kind to people.
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Originally published in DADLY Dads: Parent of the 21st Century Copyright © 2018 Motivational Press. Reprinted with permission.
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Photos courtesy of the author.
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