California, USA: A grieving teenager who wrote a 'letter to heaven' on a balloon for her late dad has received an amazingly moving response after it floated 400 miles before landing.
Ashlynn Marracino's dad died of a brain aneurysm in 2010.
Since then, it has become something of a tradition for the 16-year-old to mark his birthday by penning him a letter and sending it on a balloon.
And this year, to her amazement, she received an unexpected reply.
The balloon was send sailing into the sky from Ashlynn's home in Whittier, Los Angeles, California, and floated 436 miles to the city of Auburn.
According to KCBS, Ashlynn's dad was in prison until she reached the age of 10, and he only had one year with her before his death.
The TV station reported that her 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."
And she did receive a sign of sorts - restaurant owner Lisa Swisley discovered the deflated balloon and decided to give the teenager a touching surprise.
Lisa said: “You have missed so much and I miss you,” it said.
“And I love you, miss you like crazy!”
Lisa shared the letter on a Pay It Forward Facebook page, designed to recognise and promote random acts of kindness and goodwill, imploring members to get involved.
Speaking to ABC News, she said: "I thought it would be cool to send her something to show my support.
"I jumped on a Pay It Forward page I follow on Facebook and asked people to contribute."
In an incredible show of support, good-natured strangers have now sent scores of cards and packages to Lisa's request.
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The restaurant owner and teenager have also spoken over Skype.
Ashlynn, who wrote the letter for her dad's January 6 birthday, told KCBS: "While I was writing it, I was just crying so much and then when I let it go I just kind of calmed down and I watched it go, and I didn't, like, think anybody would find it."
Lisa added: "It's all been so unbelievable.
"It's the fact that the balloon landed in front of me and I decided to do something about it. It never occurred to me not to."
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