You’ll be happy to know the letters to my brothers are ones of forgiveness. This hasn’t been easy, but it’s necessary. As my wise wife says, my forgiveness is the key. As the youngest and as the half brother, I feel odd being in charge, but so it is. The half is the key to the whole.

After I’m gone, I want the Paxton family to be reunited and restored, with my Leah and Helen included, of course.

Please don’t think I’m fatalistic. I’m not. I just know my work on earth is done. My brothers are forgiven, the road to family peace is open, and I’ve provided for my wife and daughter. Thank you for taking my girls under your wings. I hope you can persuade Leah to move to Kerrville.

Please forgive me for taking so long to forgive my brothers. I wore my grudges as my badge of honor as a wronged man. But that was as grave a sin as any they committed. I made myself their judge, and that’s not my role.

Daddy and Mama, thank you for a lifetime of loving me. You raised me well and taught me the importance of faith, compassion, integrity, and hard work. You provided a home full of wisdom, humor, common sense, and heaping piles of love. I love you with all my heart.

Your son,
Clay

Now for his brothers. He’d hoped they’d receive their letters before D-day. It was ridiculous to mail the letters to Texas first, but what could he do without their addresses?

Dear Wyatt,

I pray this letter will reach you before everything heats up over here.

I need you to know I’ve fully forgiven you. On that day three years ago, you acted out of a legitimate fear for your life. Although I was upset not to go to college and medical school, I’ve found my place in the Rangers. It’s a good fit, and I’m glad to be here. I’ve enjoyed my training, and I know we’ll accomplish great things. Please don’t beat yourself up about the changed course of my life. Much good has come out of it, and I see the Lord’s hand in it all.

I appreciate that you want to pay me back. Part of me wants to forgive your financial debt, but I reckon you wouldn’t rest until it was repaid anyway. And as a husband and father, I’d be foolish to turn the money down. So I thank you in advance.

It’s my deepest desire that our family would be restored. Don’t ever doubt our parents’ forgiveness. At times I’ve resented their easy and generous forgiveness, but it only reflects the forgiveness of our Savior.

Please forgive me for taking so long to forgive you. My resentment was an offense against the Lord’s forgiveness of my own sins.