My heart feels heavy tonight as I try to process the death of another parent in the practice this week. One mother was murdered and now a father has taken his own life. A 6 y/o boy and now a 3 y/o girl have to grow up without a mother and a father, respectively.

Why, one might ask ourselves? Is it our basic human weakness that started in the Garden of Eden? Can we blame God? Is it Fate? Stress? Money? Love? Many people say to me "Everything Happens for a Reason", but what is the reasoning behind an innocent child dying, losing a parent, being poisoned by your own government, or getting cancer? None of these questions can be answered properly, and there is no appropriate explanation that a child could receive that would make sense and give them comfort. I was recently advised to never ask a WHY question, rather to ask WHAT or HOW questions. For example, instead of asking why do bad things happen in the world, the more productive questions are how and what can I do to prevent this from happening in the future.

Many of you know that I lost my mother at the age of 13 after a lengthy battle with both physical and emotional pain. My lifelong dream has ALWAYS been to be a pediatrician, so that I could help children both physically and emotionally. As a pediatrician, I am not only expected to provide world-class medical care to children, but also to ask parents/guardians about such topics as post-partum depression, domestic violence, alcohol and drug abuse, etc. As much as I think I'm helping children and families, there is a nagging feeling of I could do more.

I hope the families, friends, and colleagues that know me realize that I care. I care about my patients. I care about their families. I care about my community, and I care about the world. I am not a political activist, nor am I very outspoken about my views regarding religion, politics, the economy or Obama Care.

It is ironic that today is Yom Kippur...the holiest day of the Jewish year. The holiday is about righting wrongs- between people, and between individuals and God. Before Yom Kippur, many Jews express apologies and request forgiveness from people they may have offended during the year. Basically we are saying "I'm sorry". We say we're sorry to people who have lost loved ones. When parents say "I'm sorry" to children, they are modeling positive behavior and helping to build critically important life skills.

Tonight, I would like to apologize to those that I have hurt, offended, or caused pain in any way, due to my actions, my words, or my indifference.

I know it is not my fault that these two young children will have to grow up without their mom and dad. Yet, I wonder if I could have intervened somehow so that these shocking tragedies could have been avoided?

I would greatly appreciate it if anyone reading this post will say prayers for these children and their families. Their lives, as was my life, are forever altered. I am open to all suggestions as to what I and/or Pediatric Wizards can do to help not just my loved ones and patients, but the community and world we live in. I realize writing checks helps some, but there is so much more that can be done.

L'Shanah Tovah- may you be inscribed in the Book of Life and sealed for a good year.
DH