The story was horrible when told in just bare facts – a man armed with two pistols chained the door of a building full of classrooms at Virginia Tech University and methodically executed 32 students and teachers before killing himself.

But as details poured in, it got worse.

Names and descriptions of the victims. Accounts of survivors and witnesses. Efforts of frightened parents and friends to find out if their loved ones were safe.

As a father, I immediately thought how I'd feel if any of my children had been in the killing zone. I felt the desperation of frantically and fearfully seeking the answer to the only question in the world that mattered: "Is my child safe?"

I could imagine the torture of every minute not knowing the answer and the stomach-churning fear of bad news. I cried thinking about the agony of learning the worst or the relief and gratitude of hearing the simple phrase: "I'm okay, Dad."

Once I got over my self-centered nightmare, my thoughts turned to the students and teachers who were there. Their lives, and the lives of their families and friends, were changed forever. I cried yet again, this time in vicarious joy for the families of those who lived and in profound sympathy for those who didn't.

It's impossible to avoid cliches as I think about this historic event that will be remembered alongside the Oklahoma City bombing and the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

While there's nothing original about lamenting the fearsome randomness of tragedy and good fortune, it's sobering to be reminded of the fragility of life and the wisdom of taking no day for granted.

This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.