Yesterday was my 33 rd birthday. I woke up early in the morning feeling empowered and filled with great expectation, ready to welcome in a new year with all of the adventures it will bring. I felt hopeful, joyful, and in a mood of celebration. Until I saw the news headlines, that is… I was jolted out of my elated mood when I read the breaking news about the tragedy in Las Vegas. A feeling of sickness washed over me as I learned of the early details that surrounded the largest mass shooting in modern U.S. history. How could I possibly celebrate this day, when it will forever go down in history as the worst day of so many people's lives? --- Two months ago, I had a very special little patient who I'd gotten to know over the many weeks he was in the hospital. This little guy was extra special to me because he was exactly one week older than my own toddler. I bonded with his mother over laughter about life with a two year old, and I constantly tr...