Papa's Promise

Little one, today I am writing you a letter. A letter full of promises.

I am not very good at letters. But I am very good at keeping promises. So here they are.

I promise to listen. When you giggle, I will listen. When you babble, I will listen. You can tell me all about your day. I will put my phone away and listen. This is my promise.

I promise to play. I will be your horse, and you can ride on my back. I will make silly faces. I will sing [Papa's favourite song], even if I sing it a bit funny. We will play [a game Papa loves] together. This is my promise.

I promise to keep you safe. I will hold your hand when we cross the road. When the thunder goes boom at night, I will sit right beside you. This is my promise.

And one more. I promise to keep learning. I will not know everything. But I will keep trying, every day, for you.

My name is [Papa's name]. Soon, you will call me Papa. Every time I hear it, I will remember these promises.

They are written here, on paper. But mostly, they are written in my heart.