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From the Publisher

October 23, 2014

I'm sitting down to write this after my husband just arrived home from a six-hour lock down at work and my children were in a modified lock-down all day at school. A violent and scary shooting has taken place in Ottawa, Canada. Yes, Canada. We are all in shock. Events of the day have hit home hard.

My husband works for the federal government in a building across the street from the National War Memorial, the site of the first shooting today. For those of you who are not familiar, at least two soldiers keep "guard" over the monument and the tomb of the unknown soldier. Today, one of those soldiers was shot by a passerby who then went on to Parliament Hill and opened fire in a building full of elected officials and civil servants.  

Thousands of people were locked down over the course of the day while a manhunt ensued and is still going on. Every school in the region was either on a full or modified lockdown. Hotels, government buildings, malls and local attractions, all in a popular tourist area were closed while our normally peaceful city was filled with police and federal officers in full riot gear with big guns. Our National Arts Centre cancelled performances, one of our largest shopping malls was locked down and our beloved Ottawa Senators hockey team cancelled their game against Toronto, because the team was locked down in a hotel and unable to make it to the rink. 

For years I've watched horrible shootings happen in communities all over the US and today, I watched something unfold in my backyard. My heart aches for the family of the victims, named and unnamed.

I struggled at the dinner table to explain events to my eight and twelve year old boys.  We answered their questions honestly and truthfully but with age appropriate content. It is important to let them know they are safe, protected, and cared for, (something I no longer feel 100 % confident in myself). Something was taken away from us today and it will be a long time until we get it back.

I urge everyone to hug their kids a little tighter and kiss their spouses a little longer. I’m interested to know how you are sharing information with your kids and encourage you to leave comments and tips below.

Sara-Lynne