More sad news in Orlando About This Page:

[Eeyore Tattoo]

Originally Posted by MayraLR

I read that alligators can actually climb fences, but I'm not sure if this is true or not. So depending on the size of an alligator, this solution wouldn't be of much help.

It is actually very true that they can climb fences with ease.. Long fingers & toes have no trouble grabbing on to a fence & climbing over just like a person would..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Qp_bUYPrTg

[cattailmarsh]

Now that is extremely frightening. Another fact that I did not know.

[honeybee723]

I just wanted to include this Facebook post I came across this morning. For those of you questioning responsibility or common sense, this is how it happens. I know many of us on these boards have visited these resorts and have lounged on the beaches during the day or night. We've watched the kids, and even adults, frolic at the waters edge because who would ever think? I've been there...I'll admit it. It was just my daughter's toes. I obeyed the "please no swimming" signs. I was lucky. Please just remember this family could've been a part of our family here. They know what their responsibilities are...trust me. No debating, just wanting to show how it can easily happen to anyone.

Disney Guest's Facebook Post

[cattailmarsh]

Thank you for sharing that post. It really does put things into perspective. I know I have walked along the edge at the Poly on numerous occasions never thinking an alligator would just come out of the water even though I have seen them on property. I just continue to pray for the family.

[GingerJ]

I just wrote this and posted it on my Facebook page:

Ever since I saw the first critical post about the parents of the precious child who was killed, I wondered: What would cause normally compassionate, loving people to blame and shame these grieving parents?

And I’ve finally come up with a reason: it’s fear. Since the earliest human mothers clutched their babies fearfully to their chests as they heard wild animals roar around them, we’ve known down deep in our hearts and souls that the world can be a grim, scary, and deadly place, and that there’s no way we can keep our beloved children safe from everything that can kill or hurt them.

We know this, but we can’t really accept it. And so we do what we can, according to our level of comfort: We make them wear helmets, or prevent them from playing contact sports. We sterilize their bottles and wash their little hands. We put bandaids on boo-boos and take broken limbs to the doctor.

All this, while knowing that all our lives are hostage to fortune and misfortune, to accidents and evils. We tell ourselves that we are doing the right things by our children; other parents are either over-protective or reckless.

And when a precious life is taken far too early, we try to find some reason other than merciless nature and cruel chance: The parents were careless; the children misbehaved; some authority was negligent in not foreseeing and preventing this horrible accident.

But we know, deep in our hearts, that bad things happen with no rhyme or reason, despite careful attention and devoted watchfulness. And we’re scared.

Ultimately, that’s what it means to be a parent: to know that this small life we’ve created is infinitely fragile and that life is dangerous. All we can do is be the best parents we know how to be, try to find the sympathy and compassion parents deserve when the unthinkable happens to them, and pray that it never happens to our own loved ones.

[Her Dotness]

That is deeply thoughtful, compassionate and realistic all in one beautifully expressed piece, Ginger.

VERY well said indeed!

[luvnwdwgal]

Beautifully said Ginger.

[honeybee723]

Thank you Ginger.

[cattailmarsh]

Oh Ginger, that is so well said. Poignant.

[SheLovesAriel]

Originally Posted by GingerJ

I just wrote this and posted it on my Facebook page:
Ultimately, that’s what it means to be a parent: to know that this small life we’ve created is infinitely fragile and that life is dangerous. All we can do is be the best parents we know how to be, try to find the sympathy and compassion parents deserve when the unthinkable happens to them, and pray that it never happens to our own loved ones.

Thoughtful post.

May I point out that your definition of a parent is narrow here; one doesn't need to create the life to be its parent and appreciate its fragility. However one becomes entrusted with a child's life; the worries and the weight of the responsibility are heavy indeed.

[GingerJ]

Originally Posted by SheLovesAriel

Thoughtful post.

May I point out that your definition of a parent is narrow here; one doesn't need to create the life to be its parent and appreciate its fragility. However one becomes entrusted with a child's life; the worries and the weight of the responsibility are heavy indeed.

You're right....no disrespect intended to families built by ties of love, not blood. How about this:

Ultimately, that’s what it means to be a parent: to know that this small life entrusted to our care is infinitely fragile and that life is dangerous. All we can do is be the best parents we know how to be, try to find the sympathy and compassion parents deserve when the unthinkable happens to them, and pray that it never happens to our own loved ones.

I like that better--thanks!

[Cam22]

for the FB link, Melissa! Well written, Ginger! You've expressed so many thoughts that have been running through my head since I first heard.