A Tragedy

Over the Memorial Day weekend, a family was out camping and riding motorcycles here in the mountains along the Cispus River.  They had been having a wonderful time.  Their 5 year old son, wearing all his protective gear and helmet was riding around the campsite.  Sadly he rode a bit too close to the river, and this young motorcycle loving child and his bike fell into the river.  He was only out of sight for a second or two.  But it was too late.  His body, weighed down by all his protective gear, was dragged under in the swift current until the boy was pinned amidst a log jam.  His father dove into the river when he saw the bike, and desperately searched for his son until he became hypothermic, and was almost lost himself.  The boys body was not recovered for four days due to the swiftness of the water and the depth he was in the log jam.

While this is a great tragedy, and I extend my deepest condolences to the family, the amazing part of this story is the reaction of some people when this news hit the social networks.  While most people showed support, a few were quite vocal in their condemnation of the parents.  Blaming the parents for his death because they allowed a 5 year old to ride a motorcycle.  Or blaming them for his death because he wasn't wearing a life preserver while around the river.  What has happened to our society?

When did it become even remotely acceptable to attack a grieving family?  To impose your own personal fears, and beliefs with hindsight onto a mourning and devastated family?  Making statements about how wreckless it is to allow a 5 year old to ride a motorcycle.  Impossible statements about watching the boy 'every second'.  Blaming the parents for allowing their son to do something that he loved deeply.

I simply do not understand the heartlessness of some people.  Why must people jump to place blame so fiercely, and viciously?  To me, it makes no sense, and I question the state of mind of some of the people that posted vindictive comments on various social media about this tragic loss of a young boys life.

This is a tragic story, and my heart goes out to the friends and family of this young boy.  Who had such a seemingly bright future ahead of him.  It just goes to show that no one is guaranteed tomorrow, and we should never take life for granted.

Out of respect for the grieving family I haven't given any names, and I won't.  However, the ABATE chapter here voted to make a donation to the family yesterday and present it at a special event at the Rainier Raceway where the boy raced.  They raised $170 in just a few moments.  Showing the support of motorcyclists for other motorcyclists in such a dark and tragic time.

Catch ya on the road sometime...