My Dearest Connor,

You are safe in your bed right now after a fun night of playing games and toys. At this time the only worry you have is the cold you are currently getting over. I am sad to say that you are going to grow up in much more violent world than I did. Perhaps it is a violent as it ever was but if the world has grown smaller and by the time you are my age the world will be closer than it is now. One day you may ask me why your mom and I ever thought having a child in this crazy world and I am not sure what I will say.

Your grandfather used to say, "My greatest hope is that my son is a better man than I was." Perhaps that will be my answer. Maybe I will look at you on that day and tell you that I tried to do my best to make this a better and more peaceful world. Maybe I will look at you on that day and tell you why the world is the way it is. Or maybe I will look at you on that day and tell you that you will make the world a better place.

No pressure.

Do not worry, the pressure is all on me and your mother. It will be up to us to provide you with enough love to know that this world can be a better place. We will work to show you that violence does not have to be a response to anger or frustration. We will work to show you that every person is a gift from God and deserving of our kindness and love. We will work to show you that Christ's love belongs to all people. We will work to set the example of all that we will work to show you.

My promise to you is to work towards a day where you will not have to fear walking out the door, going to school or to see a movie. My promise to you is to love you, your friends, your neighbors, and everyone you know as I love you. I make these promises to you because you represent the hope of Christ to our world. You and every child on this earth represent the best of us and I promise to do my best to protect that. I promise that you will be a better man than I ever could be.

Connor, you are a beautiful soul and every person you meet will be changed by your smile. Every person you meet will change you. My hope is that change will be for the better, always.

You and every child are our best hope for a better world. I promise to not let you down.

Love,

Dad