Obama is right. Newtown, Conn., is not alone. I can barely talk about the tragedy with adults. I did not want to talk about it with my 7-year-old son. I kept the conversation light this weekend and the TV was turned to stations that don’t broadcast the news, but I couldn’t keep it from him.

Our TV was on ESPN and the game was delayed for a moment of silence. My son heard the commentators talk about the lives lost, many of whom were children. He asked the inevitable questions. What happened? How did the guy get in? How did they stop him? Did they find his gun? So I did as the professionals said and answered his questions truthfully. I tried to avoid much detail because despite his grown-up questions he is just a child himself, and frankly I can’t discuss it for long without tearing up.

Our school sent texts and emails about the meetings taking place over the weekend to prepare teachers and counselors for today and future days. In the short-term, I feel like all we can do is pray and love, and take care of those around us.  In the long-term, I hope to see that we all become the change that we want to happen. We are in this together. We can make this world a better place.