My daughter Rileigh (9 years) wanted to show her love and support for those at Sandy Hook.

I sat down and talked to my two oldest children about the shooting at Sandy Hook on Sunday because I didn't want them to hear about it from other students at school and I wanted to reassure them that they are safe.... Rileigh broke down in tears and decided to write them a letter... after she wrote it she said: "Mom, I bet those kids never thought their future would be something like this. I don't know what my future is going to be like. But I hope it's not like that."

I thought about it for a while but wow do you explain that these things just don't happen, when clearly in our society they do. Whether it's Newton, CT, Aurora, CO, Portland,  OR, or Columbine, CO... it's always someone's "It could never happen here..."

It was one of the most sobering questions I have ever had to answer in my life. My kids aren't old enough for any other serious talks, they've never experienced the loss of a loved one so this was all very new to them. I explained how these things are so rare and that she should never have to worry about it. But still I can sense her fear about it.

I think writing the letter was her way of coping with the situation. She has always been sensitive to others feelings and she wanted to do more and she is such an artist she's created another drawing that we will be sending to the school after the New Year.