School's all about children

and two little girls in particular have captured my attention this week: 6-year-old Madalena Taurke of Pacific Grove and 9-year-old Christina Green.

Madalena spent a few of hours playing the violin at the Farmer's Market on Monday to collect funds for the library -- which is suffering from financial troubles. By the end of the day, she had collected $91.12.

I'm sure everyone in this country knows the story of Christina. She had gone to meet Rep. Gabrielle Giffords at her meet-and-greet at a supermarket in Tucson, Arizona, when a gunman showed up and gunned Christina and five other people down. Giffords remains in critical condition at Tucson hospital. Christina wasn't that lucky.

Two girls, innocent and precious, kids who attend our public schools and are trying to learn how to navigate life with the guidance of adults. Two girls who remind me of how much promise they hold, and how fragile life is. Two girls who make us proud.

As First Lady Michelle Obama said in her letter to the nation, embrace your little ones a bit tighter tonight.