My mother, God rest her soul, used to always tell me "Never take yours eyes off of children when they are near water, not even for a second." I thought of this twice this week while watching the local news. The first time was when I read a story about a young couple who went kayaking on a swollen stream with their 18 month old baby. Their kayak tipped over and the baby, who was in a lifevest , although they admitted it was improperly secured, was swept away. They found the lifevest the first day and the childs body was found two days later. I know this was not an incident of taking your eyes off of children, rather a tragedy opportuned by recklessness, or perhaps just youthful ignorance. Either way its a terrible tragedy and the authorities are considering filing charges against the couple.
The second time I thought about my mothers words was this Sunday when on the news was the report of a young family who went camping along the banks of a central Ohio river and their two toddler boys wandered out of the tent and were swept away in the river. The body of one child was found and the search called off for the other child as the river is so high and the water fast, they feel the body may be in the turbulent waters of a nearby dam.
I am happy that I am not a judge, in a case such as the first I related here I would find it impossible to be impartial hearing the case. I would be heartbroken for the couple, but I would be predisposed to finding this couple guilty of neglect and child endangerment. I would never take a child, or my wife on a swollen river and not consider at any time not having a baby well secured in a proper floatation vest.
The second family I would look at it like a tragic accident and feel they had already been punished far worse than any human could deserve.
Remember, NEVER take your eyes off of a child near water ! The water can be a lake , a pool, a stream or river, its even dangerous for toddlers to be left alone near buckets of water, cleaning solutions, the bathtub and even the toilet.
It would be a blessing for anyone who would pray for these couples who lost their children, their lives are forever changed now. Ask Jesus to fulfill his promise from the Beatitudes, " Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." These people need comforting, please dear God help them in this their time of tragedy.
ed
