The heartbreak at hearing that two boys were swept away while on a vacation with their family at Yosemite National Park, earlier this week, is almost too much to bear. Jacob Adams was still missing as of late Friday night. He is just 6. His brother, Andres Adams, 10, was found 150 yards down stream -- but attempts to revive him failed.
The boys were just being boys. They had been hiking with their family, on an organized trip with their church, when they hit the Merced River. Maybe they went in to cool off? Or just to throw stones? But then, in an instant, the rapids took them. Just like that.
Attempts were made to rescue them, family members jumped into the water, but those attempts failed.
Jacob Adams, 6, is still missing
This is such a tragic accident, but also a lesson, on so many levels. As parents we would do anything to protect our kids, but we also want to encourage them to explore. We want them to be fearless -- to try new things -- but maybe this will remind us to pull them back from time to time.
If those were my kids out there ... would I have known that the water was moving so fast that it could sweep them away? Maybe Probably not. I might have let them go in ... knowing they weren't going far. I will second guess those decisions now.
When my husband tells me I am being overprotective ... am I? In so many instances, just like this one, there is such a fine line between being overly cautious and allowing our kids to find themselves and take chances. All we can do is try to make the best decisions possible given what we know. Now we know a little more.
Do you think you are, sometimes, too overprotective?
The church is setting up a fund to help the Adams family. If you would like to contribute you can call (714) 695-9650.
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Comments 25
This is horrific, I cant even fathom pretty much knowing my child is dead and not knowing where their body is.
This is very sad. My sympathies go out to the family.
While it is very sad, we have to keep it in perspective, too. How many other children played in rivers, lakes and oceans and survived? That doesn't mean that we should take their safety for granted, but we need to remember that this is not a normal occurrance, and that's why we hear about it.
For this particular situation, the best thing we can do is teach our children water safety. Begin teaching them to manage the water WITHOUT FLOATIES from about 18 months (and no, I don't mean throw them in and let them sink). Teach them about water safety and fast currents. They're never too young to learn that, especially if you teach them in age-appropriate ways.
I don't know if there was any way to prevent this tragedy, but I certainly don't blame the parents based on what I know. This is a tragic accident, and my prayers are with this family and their community.
HUGE tragedy, heart wrenching disaster of a vacation. this family lost both sons. how do you come back from that kind of loss? while its easy to second guess someone elses choices or situations, as moms we can agree-cant we- that this mother is going to second guess HERSELF forever. she will carry guilt with her for the REST of her life... i think that is enough for her to handle.
i am at times very over-protective of my kids, and ive been told TOO MUCH so, and my middle son esp. since he seems to lack the "danger" blocker gene :-/ even with the things that HAVE happened to him i am constantly 2nd guessing myself and holding onto those incidents that i think/judge that i didnt do MORE to keep him from injury, but with some kids, what are you gonna do?? put them in a plastic bubble??
they were being boys.. and the family was there.. there was no way these visitors could have known how treacherous these waters are...
Heartbreaking.