After 9/11, I was incredibly careful around my children, I made sure the six year old knew what had happened, but focused mainly on the positive. For example, instead of dwelling on the fire fighters that died, we went and thanked our local fire fighters. I wanted him to remember what happened, because it's something he needs to remember...but I made sure he was never afraid or saw me upset. He drew a picture of it...you can see it here. Note that the fire fighter is smiling as he is spraying water on the WTC? They are heros in my son's eyes...and that's what I focused on.
All this to say, when I saw the bridge collapsed in our neighboring county, my heart just broke for the families of the people who were lost. My son saw me cry, but he also saw me get up and fix lunch afterward, then fill up his outdoor pool with water! Life is already full of sadness and sorrow...but there is also so much to be happy about. I want my children to experience and know how to deal with both situations.
That is what I hoped you were doing. It is not right for you or your children to harden your hearts to tragedy, but despite it we have to keep on living for them, for ourselves, and because it is right.