I'm sure I've mentioned it somewhere on this blog that when we went to see Chris privately that Saturday that there was a group photo of Chris with his brothers and sister from when they were little... Chris couldn't have been more than 5 in that picture and the look in his eyes is haunting... it's obvious to me that this portrait was taken after the abuse had started... there was a deadness in his eyes and the expression on his face is much like that of soldiers when they return from combat... they try to smile... they try to pretend that everything's fine but if you look you will see the 1000 yard stare... they're not there... it's just a shell... the reason I bring this up is our son, Jack, is the spitting image of his Daddy... he is a mini Chris through and through and I know that there is much of the rebellious streak that Chris exhibited... the one difference between the father and son is the look in the eye... Jack has only been loved his entire little life and there is a light of joy and hope that shines bright... he even smiled at me with his impish little grin as I laid him down for his nap... pure innocence and love... there is hope for the next generation of this family to not have to repeat the sins of the father... that they can grow with the security that their Daddy never knew...