It’s been raining here.
–  I mean, really raining.   Like three inches here and four inches in another county.

It hasn’t gotten so bad that the highway has closed, but cars have made some nice water wings going through it.

I like the rain.   I like the thunder.
I don’t think people understand or respect how important rain is to our life.
Thunderstorms, unbridled and blessed, are one of the most wondrous natural creations.

Tuesday and Wednesday had some wonderful evening storms.    Come Thursday, after an iron infusion, I took time to roam the downtown area.  Part of it was to take pictures for a friend.   Another part was to catch Pokémon.  — Yes, I play Pokémon Go.   But, really, it was to try to see if everything still looked washed and new from the rain.  —  Which it didn’t, but that still didn’t deter me from doing what I wanted to.

The river, which flows on the south side of town, was plump and rough.   Looking down from the overpass, I could literally see the rain water form strong currents as it rushed by me.  It was mesmerizing.

Little did I know, not to far from me, a family outing was taking place.  I think I read it was a mother, son, a couple of daughters, and a cousin.  Maybe they where having a cook out or just a small party.   I don’t know.

What I do know is the 6 year-old son was playing by the river bank and was pulled in.
—   I don’t like the words ‘pulled in.’   It makes it seem like the river had some sort of vendetta against the child and pulled him in.  That’s simply not the case at all.

To be more honest, the mother allowed her son to play by the rushing river, knowing full well that a lot of rain had fallen.  Anyone with half a mind could see that the river was deeper than normal and the current swift.  Anyone could tell that playing by the riverbank was the best place for a six year old boy who was wearing nothing but some Spider-Man trunks.

The reaction – typical.
There were volunteers to help search.   Some police sent boats and they did sonar.  As far as I’m aware, this day three and the body hasn’t been found.    I’m guessing the body has went south and might be found by someone fishing some ten or so miles down.

Of course, there are thoughts and prayers.
There’s always thoughts and prayers.

But, there’s no anger.
It’s a “tragic accident.”  Yes.  Yes, it is a tragic accident that could have easily been prevented by an adult… which is the mother in this unhappy situation…  if she had brain two in her head.

And, at first, I fully blamed the mother.
Stupid… ignorant… thoughtless…
I knew this anger came from somewhere deep.
Since I’m unable to have children, it’s unfathomable to me that the mother would have willingly placed her son in that situation.

Then… just like that….  the anger was gone.

The boy was just six years old.
That means the mother was probably a millennial.
This is the generation that never saw a cassette tape.   They’ve always used aps.  They’re always connected to someone, something, somewhere.
–  This is the generation that killed the dictionary and encyclopedia.  This is the generation that doesn’t know how to read an analog clock.

—  No, no, I’m not calling an entire generation bad…  but I have to wonder if the mother had enough awareness to know that the river was dangerous.

Maybe, just maybe, she truly didn’t.

…….  and that’s sad —  especially when there could be thousands of people just like her.

How many generations will it be before people forget fire is hot?
Drinking bleach can kill?
Using the internet is a privilege, not a right?

Do we have to resurrect Mr. Yuck for adults?

Extending further in the future, I can see how everyone would live in a virtual reality world.  There would be no need to pollute the earth, fear people getting hurt, or even for national boarders.

Then, little boys wouldn’t drown because of mothers who have become so disconnected from life don’t register simple natural threats.

It’s just so unbelievably stupid.
The generations are becoming more dumb as they become more smart.