Cliff’s birthday, January 31, 1940, was a day of celebration, as we marked his 86th year. A gathering of family and friends took place to commemorate this milestone. The culinary delights, expertly prepared by our daughter, Rhonda Harris, and granddaughter, Janelle Moore, were truly exceptional. Rhonda baked a strawberry cake, Cliff’s favorite dessert. As seen in the accompanying photographs, the celebration was a joyous occasion.
Shortly after, we started reminiscing about several of the many miracles God had brought into our lives 40 years ago. In 1985, He brought us together in marriage. In 1987, just two years later, God called Cliff and me to launch the Drug Alternative Program. After giving his testimony at several churches and witnessing the widespread effects of drugs on families, he felt a strong urge to help men overcome drug addiction. He did not want them to go through what he had experienced for 20 years.
This prologue to his book, DeathDance, presents a concise overview of his life marked by struggles with addiction:
The man that I have the privilege of presenting to you today has a long history of success in his field,” Freddie said, as she introduced me to a California church in 1988. “First, he is an honor graduate of Colorado State Penitentiary, having received his bachelor’s degree in burglary in 1977. He returned in 1983 and received his master’s degree in larceny on January 3, 1984. Prior to completing his higher education, he enrolled in numerous institutions, including Denver County Jail, Arapaho County Jail, Adams County Jail, Lake Alford County Jail and Long Beach County Jail. His elementary schooling included Dallas City Jail, Oberlin, Ohio City Jail, Denver City Jail and Aurora City Jail.”
Memories spilled over me as I listened to Freddie introduce me and continue her list of names and places. Yes, I remembered. In fact, I remembered those places too well. They reminded me of the years I had wasted, and the mess I had made of my life. “His professional experiences,” she went on to say, “includes ten years as a heroin addict, eight years as a cocaine addict, twenty years of marijuana use and five years of amphetamines and barbiturates. His direct experiences include robbery, direct IV injection, burglary, extortion, assault and battery, larceny, contempt of court, trespassing, and possession of narcotics.”
What a wasted life, I thought. And that could’ve been the end of my story—except then she added as she closed, “He comes to you today, as a new creature in Christ with five years of sobriety, a new wife and family, owner of a new home, and president of Drug Alternative Program.”
She paused and said, “Mr. Cliff Harris.” People applauded, laughed, and cheered. My wife had given me the best introduction I’ve ever had. Behind that brief snapshot, however, lay years of pain, years of guilt. Most of all, years of regret.
This is my story, the best that I remember it. Drugs have affected my memory, so a few things aren’t totally clear. I’m not positive I have everything in the proper time sequence. Despite that, I want to tell you my story—the true story of a man who sank to the depths of human hell, but then arose, by God’s grace to a new and happy life.
As we commemorate Cliff’s birthday, I offer heartfelt prayers that his life remains a shining example of transformation, motivating the multitude of men he has guided. May these men uphold his legacy, guaranteeing that DAP’s impact remains indelible in a world plagued by sin and hardship.
Sincerely,
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