Goodnight Blake ...

Dear Blake,

Hi there little guy .... I hope you're able to get some sleep tonight but I know it might tough. Something tells me that all the relatives around you will probably have one of the worst nights of their lives.

You've probably gotten a lot of extra hugs over the last few weeks .. and probably had quite a few aunts and grandparents tearing up while they squeeze you. It's all OK ... they just love you so much and having you there to hug has helped them cope with some pretty tough stuff.

What you may not realize is that all of the tension and the wildness is somewhat over.

Tomorrow, your family has to begin the first day of the rest of their lives. The first day in months without a court date on the calendar. The first day without calls to people we call lawyers. The first day of not looking over their shoulders to see if people like me are knocking on the doors with cameras. The first day of just trying to live again.

That's why so many in your family will be crying themselves to sleep tonight .. even though you may not understand why.

When my brother was murdered 20+ years ago, I remember that the night his killer was sentenced was one of the worst. Just like your relatives, it was a night I cried myself to sleep too .. knowing that there was no longer some court date or hearing or legal interview to do. I no longer could hide my feelings by distracting myself with the legal process, I just had to move on with my life -- without my brother. Now, it's your family's turn to face that same hard reality .. and it's just awful.

Your mom's sister broke my heart today when she said that you often ask to go to heaven to visit your mother. I wish it was that simple. I wish I could make that happen even for a few minutes. No one your age should have to grow up without his mommy AND now your daddy too.

Blake, you're going to hear a lot about your father in the days, months, and years to come. I can't offer much help for the hole you'll feel because he's not around to wrestle with you and help you grow, but I pray that an uncle, or a grandfather, or a good family friend or coach steps forward to become a father-figure for you. It's tough out there for little guys like you .. and "guy time" is important.

Most importantly, just because your father's not there to be a man in your life, doesn't mean you can't become a strong man, a loving husband, and a devoted father some day.

Your grandma Patty is a strong lady. Strong enough to not only love and protect you, but to show a forgiveness and a faith that few could do. She says it's God's work through her, and I believe it. She's a special lady and she loves you very much.

To be honest Blake, I hope we never have to meet. I hope you're able to grow up with some sense of privacy .. and away from the media spotlight that's so much of the job I have. I hope that the next time I see the name "Blake Davis" is when I'm reading a newspaper 20 years from now when you're graduating from college and ready to change the world.

I hope that the tears you're seeing and feeling all over your house tonight are eased in the days to come. I hope that your family can find a "new normal" while missing your mom so much.

Sleep well little Blake ... and hug that stuffed animal tight. Just know that for every tear you shed while missing your mommy, there's a tear from heaven from a mommy missing you too.

Goodnight.