A vacation should be a time for families to connect with one another. A time for joy and happiness that provides memories that will last a lifetime. It should not be a time for tragedy like the one experienced in Florida by the Graves family.
My heart breaks for this family and my prayers go out to them. I am a mom and as a mom, I try to protect my children from harm. Most people that know me would consider me a helicopter mom that hovers a little too much. I think things through before I allow my children to do them. I even sometimes think irrationally and prevent my children from doing things that they would probably enjoy, out of fear. However, through this tragic event I am realizing that some things can’t be predicted or even imagined. For me this is the unthinkable. It is one of those times where trying to find a logical explanation isn’t possible, no matter how much we may try.
That one moment of joy that these parents allowed out of nothing but love for their child resulted in a loss that will haunt them for an eternity. I know that this family is changed forever…..That these parents will forever question their decisions and the outcome, however, I hope that they will also remember that some things happen that are beyond our control.
No amount of irrational thinking could have led them to prevent this. The only thing that could have stopped this from happening would have been to prevent their child of the simple joys life has to offer in the hopes of always keeping him safe. There are people currently convicting this family for something that most people would have looked at as one of those vacation moments to remember. A child splashing his feet in the water as he walked along the shallow water of the beach, most likely laughing and enjoying time with his father. A father that remind you was close enough to his child when this took place to fight to free him from the jaws of the alligator. To those people I would say obviously you must not be a parent. If you were, you would know that any amount of judgement you may be offering to these parents is nothing compared to what they are already feeling.
There are no words that can bring peace to this family. At least not in this hour, but my hope is that they will come together in love for each other. That blame, anger and what-ifs would not bring greater tragedy to an already heart wrenching situation.
I will be praying for the Graves family and I would ask the same of all of you. Show them love at a time when they need it and not hate. Don’t you all think there is enough of that in the world already?
Tonight as you tuck your own children into bed, hug them a little tighter, laugh with them a little longer and know that every day with them is the greatest gift you will ever receive.
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