:(

There is nothing like bringing your child's forgotten homework paper hurriedly to school before going to the funeral of a 4YO, and finding a police officer on hand, and all of the kids coming from an assembly in tears. Apparently a 6th grader died last night, too. The 4YO has been dealing with brain cancer for the past two years, and so while that is horrible, at least you had time to prepare. I don't know exactly what happened to the 6th grader except that it happened at home, and the students have been asked "not to gossip," and the lady in the office was kind of vague about an accident. But it certainly wasn't expected, whatever happened. I know that we all go sometime, and I know that our spirits do not cease to exist, even when our bodies die. I do believe we will see our loved ones again. But that doesn't mean it's not a shock and it's not sad. I don't suppose either way to lose a child is easier. Thinking of the families and friends of these kids. :(

ETA: My son says the kid died from the choking game. I would hope that most kids would not do this, but if you have children, it would be a good idea to talk to them about not playing harmful games like this--and alerting an adult if their friends are doing it. It could save someone's life. I don't know any other details, but it all sounds rather horrible.