Keeping Things In Perspective
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on
February 16th, 2007
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Tobias Enroth died a little over two weeks ago, just shy of his 8th birthday. He was violently attacked, totally unprovoked, and stabbed to death by a 27-year old mentally disturbed person. It was broad daylight and he was on his way home from school in the small town of Norrahammar, Sweden. Friends and family describe Tobias as an extremely nice, considerate, and helpful young boy. He's survived by three brothers, a sister, and his parents.
Tobias was always happy, well liked, and never alone. He was very close to his three brothers, especially Victor. They were always together. He enjoyed playing computer games, skate, and had just started playing soccer. The children were all easy going and laid back. Pizza or an ice cream was enough to light up their day.
Tobias wore his new birthday clothes in the casket. The clothes he never got to wear at his long awaited birthday celebration. Around his neck was his favorite necklace, a gift from his aunt with a symbol of a dragon. Tobias Christmas gift from his father, a mp3 player, was placed next to his body so he could enjoy some music in heaven. "You will remain in our hearts", said a bouquet of flowers from the the first graders at Slättenskolan. When the car with the casket left church, Tobias older brother Jonathan sat in the front seat. He was honored to take care of his little brother on his last journey.
Violent crime towards children is rare in Sweden. But it does unfortunately occur. I don't enjoy reading about tragic events but it was nice to learn more about Tobias. His parents are devastated about their loss but grateful for all the great moments they had together. They want people to continue talking about their son to keep his memory alive.
I've talked about different perspectives on life before. It's something I think about often. Tragic stories like Tobias helps me filter out the small stuff and concentrate on larger, more important issues. Nagging cries from my kids, stuffed noses, lack of sleep, barfing, poop, missed naps and broken toys does sometimes seem important. They are not. They can create tremendous frustration. That's completely unnecessary. I'm grateful that I have the privilege of seeing my little ones grow up and enjoy life. Who knows how long it will last?
I don't know why the story of Tobias struck me so hard. Maybe it's because he looks just like me when I was 8 years old? Or perhaps it's because I realize how vulnerable a life can be?
Keeping Tobias in my thoughts every now and then doesn't bring him back but it does help me to keep things in perspective.
Ok. I hopped over here from another blog, but glad I did. Beautifully written.
So what happens to mentally ill violent offenders over there? Prison? Forever hospitalization? And, why wasn’t he getting help before the attack?
Nevermind, I see http://www.thelocal.se/6218/20070126/ has some answers.
Thanks for sharing the story and the perspective.
Read you blogfathers post and the safety first and then this one. I was on a huge ’self realization/discovery’ trip about a year ago and pretty much decide I would live every day like it was the last one. The first exercice was to do our own ulogy, as said by a friend, your spouse, a co-worker and your child.
Go ahead do it… it will move you… it does bring death closer to you but it also brings out your true values…. p.s. it took me over 2 weeks to have it done.