We hold our kids hands walking through parking lots – or anywhere there is traffic. Little Miss I’m 4 and a 1/2, almost 5 year old Darling Daughter rails against this sometimes, but that’s OK. She is also the one most likely to dart after something shiny. Even when holding her hand, she sometimes goes after shiny things.

At this age, they are small enough to not be seen easily by drivers, but old enough to be independent and precocious.

I too grieve for those families – and the hundreds of others whose lives have been touched by death during my watch.

My recent post daddytude: RT @gwalter: I'm building a #boysonly treehouse in my backyard and no #thegirls are allowed. They have cooties! RT to join!

When I was in Pendleton as a flight paramedic, i had occasion to breifly fly the BO-105, and the BK-117, of similar but larger design. The rigid rotor system and 4 blades make this a very responsive and fun machine to fly.

For those interested in the history and technical evolution of these 'birds' here is a link. http://www.vectorsite.net/aveucop.html

Thanks for making your real life stories more than just stories, but ones with lessons attached for us to apply to our lives. It is an important task to take tragedies and make them into positive lessons, as it provides some sense and meaning to senseless tragedies.