We received an email at 6 am that school was cancelled for the day. Over 500,000 students were effected by the closures across Colorado. A young woman, obsessed with the Columbine tragedy, caught a flight from Florida to Colorado and immediately purchased a gun. There was a state-wide man-hunt and the threat was taken very seriously. I’m grateful that so many schools were closed including our own. Nothing is more important than these girls of ours.

Being small business owners has it challenges and days like these are at the top of the list. Businesses still have to be opened. We can’t call in sick. We always have to show up.

Annabelle chose to go to the kitchen with B and Gwyneth joined me at the Aurora studio. I tried to talk Annabelle into coming with us, but she loves the kitchen and is an amazing help to her dad.

Our morning was very quiet. Everyone seemed to be laying low and those who did come in to paint were very solemn. Around 10:30 am the news broke that the threat had been contained. A relief seemed to spread across the city and the studio quickly filled as parents felt more comfortable leaving their homes with their children.

Gwyneth and I worked our tails off. That girl continues to impress me with her work ethic. She does it all and even better, she does it all with a smile. I could tell my customers were impressed by her too. Many made a point to tell me what a kind and hard-working employee I had with me today. My heart soared.