I was rather startled to see the news about the possibly tragic story about a small boy in Colorado thought to be in a balloon. Hopefully he will be found alive, but it looks like he might have fallen to earth from some height.

It is so easy to be detached these days. Yet this family faces a staggering experience that likely will never end for them.

Artists look ahead and at the impossible that might become possible. Today a little boy may have flown like Icarus, on wings his father fashioned, and gone a little too close to the sun before falling to the earth.

After turning off the TV I returned to my computer to update a gallery, and was startled when I checked one of my pictures that I finished several weeks ago (and uploaded as a part of the… video at: YouTube).

ColoradoSaucer

One of the scenes in my video (reproduced here) is of silver saucer-like balloons floating over a city. And if you look, there’s a very small figure with a shovel standing on the ground below, somewhat resembling the rescue workers who gathered around the craft when it landed.

It was a shock to see these two iconic figures first on the TV and then remember having crafted similar figures in one of my illustrations.

I know the similarity is all just coincidence, but it was a shock, nevertheless, and for me makes the whole terrifying ordeal the family must be going through a bit more real. My heart and prayers go out to them.

============
See more of my illustrations at DuncanLong.com

UPDATE: Late today the young boy was discovered hiding in his attic. Whether this was a hoax, young boy mischief, or the fear of punishment after accidentally releasing the giant balloon, it is good to know the kid is alive and well. The story could have had a very tragic ending and what a relief that it did not. The world can use a happy ending to a story every day of the week.