Here’s a picture of my kids playing in the same Disney resort lagoon where this boy was attacked by an alligator. And yep – they waded into the water some too. As were a lot of other children. It is disheartening to know that should a tragedy have happened to my kids, there would be a public flogging of our family by the sancitmommies of the Internet.
It’s an interesting human phenomenon – this need to shame other parents in the wake of a tragedy. We want to assume ourselves above such a thing happening, but in doing so, we comfort ourselves and deny empathy to others.
It’s easy to throw other parents under the bus when something terrible happens because we want to believe ourselves better. We want to comfort ourselves with the idea that our superior parenting could prevent a tragedy. That bad things could only befall an incompetent parent, and if we are Competent Enough we are safe from harm. But the truth is, bad things happen to good parents, and they deserve our empathy, not our judgement.
Thank you so much for this! As a parent whose only child passed away at the age of 37 from a heart anomaly I was hurt by the comments people said to me or whispered behind my back. Folks said, "Was it drugs?" No,the toxicology report from the autopsy revealed no drugs, (which I assumed knowing my son's lifestyle). After the autopsy results came in we learned what we had suspected; a ticking time bomb – his heart. He had no idea or he would have been treated and I had no idea or I would have insisted he be treated. But, even if it was drugs or whatever, my only child Ed is no less loved and unfortunately no less dead. I know it is people's biggest fears but do not make yourself feel better by assuming my son died as a result of his own poor choices or that this dear toddler died due to his parent ' s poor choices. Let's instead send them love and support and healing light. Terrible things happen to good people and wonderful parents too. Lane Graves mom and dad did nothing wrong. They have all my support as they grieve this precious child. Linda, Ed's mom
I despise all these haters that have nothing nice to say about the parents. They have to be going through so much pain right now…..I am in pain and I did not even know the family. I have tears rolling down my face just reading about him. I think….what if I had to fly home without Eli (he is 2) – I see Eli and his curiosity and he would have made a b-line to the water's edge and I would have not thought a thing about it. A TERRIBLE TRAGEDY that this family will have to endure for the rest of their lives. I grieve for that family and pray that they have the strength to carry on for their other children, but I do not know if I would have the strength. Such a sad, sad time for Orlando in ALL accounts.
They also deserve our prayers and hugs as they move thru this next horrible time of unimaginable grief.
Yet another reason I do not thing unregulated comments should be allowed online. God bless this entire extended family and I pray they begin the healing soon.
Thank you for using your platform for good. This truth needs to be said and shared. I appreciate you being brave enough to be the one to do/say it. After I read your post, everything in me wanted to shout, AMEN!!! Nothing but prayers and condolences for this family.
Thank you!