Wednesday, February 25, 2009

My Very Own "Amber Alert"

I was looking for soft fajita shells for dinner. It wasn't a hard decision but I was contemplating size, brand and price. It was a last minute dinner idea.

Emily was occupied in the cart with some water guns we found in the clearance section. Izabel was walking beside the cart, with one finger looped through the metal.

Or was she?

I remember talking to her, not really spacing out, but my answers were vague. I plopped the soft shells down into the cart and looked up to make sure I wasn't going to run Izabel over. She has a habit of walking in front of the cart.

She wasn't there.

I glanced up the isle and yelled her name.

Nothing.

My heart starts pounding and a million things start running through my head.

I turn the corner, look up and down the next isle over, call out her name.


Nothing.


Now I am really in a panic. People are starting to look at me funny. Those, "OMG she lost her kid," stares are pouring in from every direction.

I run up to the counter and ask for help. It's only been 3-4 minutes but at this point I'm already starting to really go into a full panic attack. My knees are week and my heart is pounding.

I continue to call her name and it suddenly hit me that I may have just lost my daughter to some stranger because I gave in and let her "walk next to the cart" instead of being in it. That and a lot of other devastating things are running ramped through my brain as I canvas the same area over and over again.

A nurse who noticed me yelling out Izzy's name turned the isle, and pointed.

There was Izabel. 5 rows away from the food department in the Hannah Montana clothing section.

Not even 10 minutes had passed since I looked up and saw nothing in the isle ahead of me.

I was a mess. I picked her up and put her on top of all of the groceries in the cart. I walked immediately to the cashier.

The cashier looked up at me and said, "It happens to all of us at least once."

Let's just hope this was my one time.

*When asked why she left the cart (going the speed of light) she didn't have an answer. Nothing came to her and I think she herself was a little confused as to what happened.

15 comments:

Heather of the EO said...

Oh my. I'm so sorry! Terrifying! It's happened to me once too. I hope it's only once. It's just so awful. I'm so glad everything was OK.

Peace,
Heather

Laura Marchant said...

I think I too would have had a heart attack! That is just scary. Glad she was ok and everything ended up being fine.
Maybe those leashes they sell for kids aren't such a bad idea, lol.

Rachelle said...

Oh my gosh! So glad you found her! That is so scary! It happened to me last summer at the zoo with Emma. It was less than 5 minutes but it seemed like an eternity!

Emily said...

OMGosh! That is so scary! My heart was pounding just reading it. I'm so glad everything turned out OK. Great reminder of how easily our children are distracted and how quickly we can get separated from them!

Mommy to those Special Ks said...

OH gosh! How terrifying!!!!! My worst fear! I'm SO glad it turned out ok!

Unknown said...

That is an absolutely scary thing to have happen! Be we have all been there. Mikal and Haden each had their turn at me. Thankfully all turned out well for us too.

Carey said...

I hate to say it, but the cashier was right, it does happen to all of us! And seriously, if you heard my missing child story, well, let's just say I can't post it on my blog for fear I'd be turned in to SRS!!! Don't fret too much, thank God she was safe and sound!!!

Dawn said...

I have a story, too, and the memories are just as clear as if it happened yesterday - Kev was 3 - the thoughts that went through my head were unforgettable. I'm so glad it is okay!

tommie said...

That is one of the absolute worst feelings in the world. glad it turned out okay

Anonymous said...

Gosh! I'm glad it all went well in the end!

Anonymous said...

Oh THANK GOD she's okay!

That's a weird twist of emotions, happy they're okay but angry & wanting to teach them a lesson.

I had a similar incident with the boys only WE'D walk off & they'd be there looking@something (I started to blog about it but didn't want to get mean 'ol comments)
Well WE taught them a lesson. We noticed the youngest (who just turned 6) spacing out. We walked off & hid (FULLY watching him, but he couldn't see us) He finally "woke up" & looked around. Ran down the aisle, crying, then back up & as he walked toward us we stepped out. Lesson learned.

Glad she's ok

4 Lettre Words said...

Oh, I would have been in a panic, too. That is just such a horrible feeling.

I'm so happy that everything turned out A-OK!!!

Tracey said...

Oh Girl! How do I know that feeling! Tyler wondered off in the mall one time at Christmas time! We even called security.. I hope that you (nor I or anyone else for that matter) NEVER have that experience again. It is an awful feeling! Thank God everything worked out.

danette said...

So glad she was fine! We've had this happen before too, talk about panic :(.

Lindsay said...

Oh man - my heart was sinking into my stomach as I read that! Glad all is well!