Oct 4, 2010

And then I breathed ...

I've never lost a child before.  Well, I've never lost a child before Saturday.

We went to the local county fair.  A pretty big place.  A place that I will never visit again.

He thought that I had her, I thought that he had her and I think that we just walked off and left her.

Panic set in; you don't know if what you're doing is right or wrong.  You don't know where your baby is.  You don't know if she is OK; if she is scared or crying or some other unspeakable thing.

Fear turns to panic; you frantically search; a 3 year old little girl in pink with long blonde hair lost among throngs of people. 

You pray; you bargain; you forget to breathe.

And then you see her, on the shoulders of her Daddy, misty lines where the tears have been dried.  Delivered to him safely by police officers you can never thank enough.

And then you breathe.

12 comments:

Catey said...

Oh-I am so sorry! That really is the most awful feeling, one that you don't understand until you've felt. It puts my stomach in knots just to read this.
So very grateful that she was ok and you were quickly reunited!! ((hugs))

Heidi said...

I can't imagine the complete terror! I'm glad she was found and is safe! Keep breathing!

bethany said...

So scary-glad that you found her safe and sound!!

Melissa said...

We've done it TWICE! The first time she was with my 10 year old cousin at the Fair (B was 3) and they were going to the other side of the arena from us and then POOF they were GONE! It took us 15 minutes to find them!!

The second time was a few months ago in Home Depot. I turned around and she was GONE! It only took 2 min and they were about to shut down the store!

Sheer Terror!

Shannon said...

I don't think I took a breath the whole time reading your post, a mother's worst nightmare! I'm so happy she was safe and sound.

~LL~ said...

No. Words!!!

SO glad you found her

Misti said...

Oh how scary! I'm so glad you found her safely & quickly!

Jenners said...

That must have been TERRIFYING!!! I once lost sight of my son in a busy store when he ran off and it was a moment of pure terror. I'm so glad this story had a happy ending.

justdawn said...

OK...I cried as I read this post, Thank God she was OK!

Rumour Miller said...

I am so sorry! I can imagine the terror you were feeling.

Very scary.

McCryssy said...

Oh, Lisa! I'm a big cry baby mess over here. I'm so glad everything turned out well. Losing one of my crew has been my biggest fear since they've been born. Scary indeed!

snarflemarfle said...

OMGosh! I was near a panic attack as I read your post. I can only imagine exactly how you felt, but I've got a pretty good idea.

Glad everyone is save and sound!