About To Be the Best Humans We Can Be Tim Wilson - Paso Robles, California As heard on The Bob Edwards Show , January 20, 2012 Policeman Tim Wilson knows the dangers of his job. That's why he has a letter to his family sealed in an envelope in his locker at work. If something bad does happen to him, Wilson wants his kids to understand why it's important to strive to be a better person. Share This Essay: I wrote a letter to my kids a few years ago. It's three pages long, and it sums up what I've learned in four decades of life. My kids are too young to understand now, but by the time they reach adulthood, they will have heard most of the advice in that letter: live in the moment, do not attach yourself to physical things, treat others the way you would like to be treated, find happiness in the service of others, make the most out of today, follow your dreams, don't take yourself too seriously, be aware that there are hypocrites and manipulators in the world, et cetera. I sealed the letter in a plain white envelope, and wrote instructions not to open it unless something horrible happened to me. A "Marvin the Martian" magnet holds it to the side of my musty gray metal locker at work. It is surrounded by police uniforms, spare change, "tribute of mourning" ribbons for my badge (to honor fallen colleagues), pictures of my kids,