Help Cara Walls Reunite with Her Daughter for Christmas

My name is Cara Walls, and I’m a 27-year-old single mother desperately trying to spend this Christmas with my beautiful daughter whose name is Courageous, my angel of a Godmother Darla (a.k.a Grandma), her husband Jeff (a.k.a Pop), and Darla’s two sons who have been my brothers since birth. Really, the ONLY family I have left.

I currently reside in a little town called McMinnville, TN, which is 543 miles from what I call home in Daytona Beach, FL.

My grandfather, who adopted me years ago, fell sick and had a stroke in 2019. I’m not sure why he had the sudden desire to move back to McMinnville, TN (where he was raised till 16), but we packed up and moved. Whatever he wanted and needed (health-wise/caregiver-wise), my little brother and I provided to the best of our ability since he stepped up and raised us when our parents failed us. They were the only family/support I had until my daughter was born, who then became my best friend. Sadly, my extended family like cousins, aunts, and uncles have been strangers in mine, my grandfather's, and little brother's lives since the mid-2000s.

Unfortunately, in the year 2022, on October 8th to be exact, my daughter was placed into state custody at 11 months old. I had never spent a day away from her since the day she was born, so that day changed my life forever and to this day has placed a void in my soul. The relationship I had with her father was very abusive, controlling, and ultimately life-altering.

A few months into the year 2023, I found myself incarcerated. Because I lacked the strength and COURAGE to walk away from my daughter’s father, he once again caused devastating and life-altering consequences I was forced to face because of his actions. Never being in trouble before, it was terrifying spending 4 1/2 months in the county jail awaiting an offer from the District Attorney’s office. I was worried about my grandfather's health daily and was saddened that all of the weight of caregiving fell on my little brother. I was losing precious time to complete my permanency plan in time placed by DCS allowing the reunification with Courageous. All that time on your hands sitting in a cell, I frequently found myself self-reflecting on how much of a failure I felt like. Saying things to myself like, “Oh how I wished I had made better choices, used my voice more, and portrayed the courage I know I needed to have.”

On July 1, 2023, I was told to call home because my grandfather passed away. Not being able to say goodbye or be there for my little brother was a hard pill to accept. Courageous and they were my life, and at that time I really felt like, what little light I had diminished from my soul. Fortunately, on September 6, 2023 (a day after my 26th birthday), I was granted a gift by the District Attorney’s office. They allowed me to be released on probation but with a Judicial Division which allows me to expunge my record when my probation period is completed successfully in the year 2029. As someone who had a clean record prior to, a single mother who would need to secure financial stability for the daughter she’s fighting to regain custody of, and someone capable of a bright future, this was HUGE!! An absolute miracle for someone who was genuinely innocent of the accused crime. On the other hand I was guilty of not taking responsibility when I knew I needed to walk away from Courageous’s father before he ruined my life. I knew better but didn’t do better…

While I was still incarcerated, the topic of stripping me of my parental rights was on the table because we were approaching the year mark of Courageous being in foster care. So all the progress I had made with DCS before my arrest was thrown out the window due to the precious lost time sitting in a cell. That’s where my amazing Godmother Darla and her husband came into play. They went through all the necessary steps to be DCS approved to take Courageous into their home and out of foster care, which was very tedious and time-consuming but something they would do regardless of the difficulty. They are amazing grandparents! My Godmother has been such a staple in my life since I was born. With my mom passing away in 2017, she really stepped up and was ALWAYS there for me. I knew that In any situation where id bring said situation to my Biological mother, I could always turn to her. So much so that she’s who cut Courageous's umbilical cord in the hospital I’ll forever be so incredibly grateful for the role she’s playing in my daughter’s life right now. A role much deeper then being a grandma that shares no DNA with her. I’ve always admired how beautifully and naturally she falls into the role of a mother.

Having saved her grandbaby from the state so she can be with family where she is thriving like no other 3-year-old I’ve seen. I’m so thankful she has helped me in a way that rescued Courageous from state custody to make up for lost time so I can work my permanency plan to regain custody.

When I was released, I hit the ground running. Giving true genuine effort in doing everything I need to bring my baby home and live a life my grandfather, daughter, Godmother, and myself would be proud of! I wish you knew the resilient generational line of women I come from. You’d know that every obstacle I’ve faced in life from early childhood, I’m destined to double down and use it as a learning opportunity to grow.

For the last year, things have been incredibly difficult. Of course, not having my family anymore is still hard, my grandfather's house being foreclosed on so me and my brother were left homeless pretty much, complying with probation and trying to keep them pleased, especially with monthly payments. Becoming Frustrated with me, threatening to violate me because I wasn’t able to accomplish what they wanted from me as fast as they thought things should be. With a violation, I’d lose my one chance at the judicial diversion they granted me, taking away the opportunity of my record being expunged.

I was praying someone, ANYONE would overlook my background and give me a job. Although, not having a car, I wasn’t sure how I’d get there, but I was determined and focused. Finally landing a job, I walked to and from work every day after working from 8-4 dishwashing 6 days a week. Unfortunately, I lost that job because my performance couldn’t keep up with the demand.

So, there I was again, faithfully praying and hoping I’d catch a break and things would make a turn for the better.

I started looking for another job that would overlook my background or didn’t submit background checks. After a lot of praying and applying, I was given my current employment and have been faithfully committed to being the best employee I can be. So if you happen to be reading this and are a resident of Warren County/McMinnville, TN, come visit Little Caesars so I can happily serve you some pizza and sides in the drive-thru or in our lobby lol.

STILL faithfully praying, being genuine, and focused on doing what’s right, what’s expected of me, and getting myself outta this horrible, horrible season I’m in.

By no means do I give up easily. Each day I don’t wake up to my daughter’s beautiful face is a reminder of how much harder I have to work. As a first-time, young mother, people don’t tell you just how much harder things will be. Without all my added factors, setbacks, and tribulations, I’m sure things wouldn’t be so hard, and life would feel a lot more enjoyable. Each day God blesses me to wake up for I get up, strap up my boots, and put one foot in front of the other. This isn’t me looking for a handout as it might come off that way to some of you. Reading this thinking I’m trying to pitch some made up horrible pity story. This is just a young momma needing some assistance to spend Christmas with my family and daughter. They say celebrating Christmas with your young children are memories you’ll never be able to recreate and will reflect back on when they grow up and aren’t innocent anymore. When Christmas isn’t a magic wonder land and Santa Claus isn’t real.. the good times…. Because time REALLY does fly by.

With all of that being said, I’m trying to raise this $400 so I can afford to either drive or get a bus ticket to Florida so I can spend some much-needed time with my 2nd mom and watch my daughter open gifts for the first time. She wasn’t even a year old when she left me and is now 3. With all the loss I’ve faced in the last few years, my spirit so desperately needs this. The breath of fresh air it would be to not feel lonely and be surrounded with love. They’re the only people I have that I can hold near and dear to my heart.

It would be a Christmas miracle to do so. I’ve asked permission from my probation officer to travel and gave a super early notice to my boss just in case I was able to go spend 6 days with my family for the holidays. Even if this gets no donations and no views, I feel like being able to share has made me feel a lot better. It’s given me a glimmer of hope that maybe someone did read this and felt inclined or inspired to donate. But if they can’t donate, they’d share it and it would make n it to someone who could!

If this finds you, I pray that you and your family enjoy this holiday season. That you hug your loved ones tighter and get the chance to stop this fast-paced life we live in so you’re able to enjoy the moment with your special loved ones. I pray you and your family continue to have good health from now into the new year. And remember, everything happens just as it’s supposed to, God shows up right on time, not our time. God bless xoxox and if that’s something you don’t believe in, then, I’m sending all the positive vibes and best wishes to you.

With so much love, Cara Ann Walls.

Thanks for letting me share with you, and allowing myself the opportunity to be vulnerable by asking a community of strangers for help. I know GoFundMe mentions often fundraisers receiving donations from family and friends and it’s heartbreaking to realize I don’t have that many friends and an even less amount of family members. So I’ll be taking this as a leaning moment and to accept that it’s okay. Literally, everyone needs to reach out for a helping hand from time to time. That’s the balance in life, someone reaching for a helping hand and that other person selflessly reaching back out!