Today.......

Today we have received some terrible news. A young girl from my son's middle school has taken her own life. After out toddler is in bed tonight we will gather the older three and break this news to them and do our best to answer any of their questions and allay their fears. At the same time we must implore them to come to us with any problems they have and to trust that we will help them to find the solutions. To let them know that mental illness is a terrible thing and if it strikes it can make you believe that a terrible outcome is the only outcome. Today I am hurting for that child and her parents--and dreading having to bring this terrible and adult issue into the lives of my own children.