I wasn’t going to write anything.
Your pain is unfathomable and I have no words of comfort or care that can heal it right now.
I am so sorry.
I am so sorry.
I am so sorry.
I have stayed at the Grand Floridian at Disney World before when my youngest was two years old. We had traveled there from the Midwest. I remember the pools at the hotel distinctly, as we relaxed and swam in them on our vacation. I do not remember visiting the beach, although I knew where it was.
This morning I looked through my pictures of our visit and gasped. I guess after our time at the pool we did visit the beach and we played in the sand. It is steps away from the pool area after all. One picture captures my young children building sand castles on the beach in their swimsuits.
Another picture in particular makes me cry now. I see my toddler, her chubby feet in the lagoon, throwing sand in the water.
Her hair is wet and I remind myself it is not because we swam in the lagoon. No one does that, there are signs. Her hair is wet because moments before, and steps away, we were in the pool.
But to see her little feet in the water’s edge of the lagoon? To see her throwing sand that would make a splash?
I had sensed no danger.
I had sensed nothing out of the ordinary.
The fact that my husband or I took that picture of her throwing sand into the lagoon signals to me that we thought it was cute. Sweet. Innocent.
In my gut, I know this is everything you were thinking on that beach.
I apologize with my whole being for those who say they would never let their child near that water, that somehow they would know better.
I was there once, too. I let my daughter stand in the water, be near the water. So have thousands of parents before you.
My heart is breaking for you.
I am so sorry.
I am so sorry.
I am so sorry.
Wow, really makes you stop to think about the unbearable pain that mom and dad are going through. No one, and I mean NO ONE, can say what they would or wouldn’t do in that situation until they’re actually in it. That family needs our prayers and our support, not mean remarks or “better than thou” mentality.
I, too, am so sorry.
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Eye opening. EVERY parents worst nightmare. We shouldn’t be throwing stones at this family, but rather embracing and comforting them. It’s heartbreaking.
So heart breaking. I have been so very sad since I heard the news. Especially by the heartless comments of others. Thank you for sharing this post. You said it perfectly.
There but or the grace of God go I. It’s just unimaginable what this family must be going though.
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The incident is absolutely chilling and horrific. I, too, am so very sorry. Thank you for sharing your story and pictures, Katy. Brings home the “there but by the grace of God, go I ….”
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Such an awful tragedy, and just goes to show it could happen to any one of us. It’s easy for people to say that they’d never have let their child in the water, but you seriously don’t think there would be alligators in a theme park lake, for crying out loud!
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It’s a horrible event. I can’t even imagine. I feel for that family.
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This is so sad and yes we as parents and grandparents have all been on vacation at the beach and other places and have let our children near water without fear. We travel to Florida twice a year. Really makes me think. An alligator being in that water would have never crossed my mind at Disney World with so much noise and people around. I would have let my grandchildren stand near the waters edge and put their feet in the water. Not now! Such a wake up call to me. Those parents are not to blame. Shame on anyone that is saying that. Accidents happen and very fast. I also thought of sharks on the beach but not an alligator attack at Disney World. Prayers for this family. Their lives have been impacted forever.
That gave me chills just reading your post and seeing your pictures. As parents, we just never know what could happen. Feel so bad for the family. Thank you for sharing this way.
Oh my heart, Katy. This is SO powerful. Those pictures will give those precious grieving parents a bit of peace that they are not alone in allowing their kids near that water. This horrible accident is truly inconceivable. I just can’t even fathom such a loss.
Thank you for offering them this beautiful encouragement and heartfelt condolence… I really hope they see it. <3
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this is so heartbreaking 🙁 i’m so sorry . we just never know what could happen. don’t cry, your little angel will be sad…