Her name is Hope. She came into the world pink-cheeked and a perfect 6 pounds 1 ounce. My nephew Noah and his wife Kayla welcomed their daughter to their family of two boys and the family dog.

Hope arrived in the early part of September, a month that has been a roller-coaster of emotions for many. Just one week after her joyous birth, our country saw a slate of violent acts that have worn us down emotionally and spiritually.

Another senseless school shooting, an innocent woman slain on a commuter train and then the horrific murder of conservative Turning Point founder Charlie Kirk all happened in the space of days. The grief, horror and anger over these and other crimes is palpable in the air today.

I didn’t need to personally know any of these people but I knew of Charlie Kirk’s beliefs as a Christian. His murder gave me pause to wonder how to go on as an evangelist for your faith without fear of retribution. He did it and suffered the worst possible outcome. His family and the families of all the other victims will carry the weight of their deaths for the rest of their lives.

However, instead of Charlie Kirk’s followers shrinking in fear, they have made their beliefs known loud and clear. By the hundreds, maybe thousands by now, people are praying, not just for Charlie Kirk and his family, but for our nation that has been so divided in recent years. People are calling for good to overcome evil.

Was Charlie Kirk’s death a true turning point? I’d like to think so.

Despite the continued negativity by some, there appears to be an overwhelming cry for quiet and prayer.

Following his murder, there have been peaceful candlelight gatherings, not riots, looting and burning of buildings.

You don’t have to be a Christian or Jew or Muslim to know how powerful prayer can be. You can see it with your own eyes as things begin to change around the country.

All I know is that when I had the pleasure of holding newborn Hope in my arms, I could only pray that her life will truly experience the good that our nation can offer.

Her name is Hope. Let us give her just that starting today.

Heather Ziegler can be reached via email at hziegler@theintelligencer.net.