We've all had those moments when you suddenly realize everything you've taken for granted--health, security, loved ones--can change in an instant. Tom and I experienced this yesterday at the mall. We aren't normally mall shoppers, especially on crowded Saturday afternoons, but we needed to look at something for Carly's wedding and decided to take the boys along. Grayson somehow made it there without shoes, so we started by buying him a pair of cheap flip-flops. Tom had Elijah in the stroller and was looking at watershoes; Grayson had his flip-flops on, elastic still connecting them. I was checking out the clearance shoes.
After just a moment I realized Grayson wasn't right by me. I took a quick look around and headed for Tom, thinking he had walked over there. He had not. Then we started cruising the large children's store, calling out his name. He's hidden among the racks of clothes before, but we couldn't find him anywhere. I notified the store's staff and they quickly sent a "Code A" through their headsets. Soon every staff person available was out looking for Grayson. I ran around the store calling his name ever more frantically and sent Tom out into the mall. Parents would look up at me and instictively reach for their own kids. Then a feeling of dread came over me: this is how it happens. How your son gets taken while you're looking at $4.99 shoes. How your life becomes unbelieveably altered in just a few heartbeats.
I knew then he wasn't in the store and told the manager, "He's not here. He must be out in the mall." She called mall security and gave them a description: blond four-year-old boy wearing yellow Intuit shirt, black shorts, wearing flip-flops still attached together. What I didn't tell her: he's named after his grandfather's hometown; he was born after trying twelve years; he's our miracle.
I ran out into the mall too. Tom and I called each other on our cellphones making sure we were both looking in different places. I checked toy stores and candy stores, knowing this is what he'd be attracted to. I kept calling his name and thought I heard him answer, but it was never him. Finally I decided to head back to the store and get an update, maybe get the police involved. I was pushing Elijah in the stroller and saw security and five or so store employees surrounding Grayson, who was sitting on the floor holding a gumball machine.
Grayson later told us he heard music and walked out of the store to find out where it came from. He then saw a candy store and went inside to look. He took the gumball machine and left the store, trying to find us to tell us he wanted to buy it. The store manager had been standing at the front of her store looking at everyone passing by when she saw a little boy in a yellow t-shirt. She called his name and he looked at her.
It's not easy being a mom to a very active boy. He often wears me out and completely frustrates me. But I love him. I love him. I love him.
3 comments:
Oh Darla! I'm so very sorry. It must have been quite terrifying. Our little guy took off once in Target and it scared me to death.
Mom! I love that picture of Grayson. I showed it to my friends and she simply said, "He looks like an imp!" Pretty much. That one expresses his personality so well. I'm beginning to be able to tell what he'll look like when he's older. He's hot stuff. And that Ligy, man, is the cutest button. Has he been exerting his boyness more? Is Brycey feeling all better? Things are going wonderfully here. I went and saw the changing of the guards today and ate fish and chips for the first time: so good. I've saved some of the tourist things for the end. I can't believe I'll be home in 15 days! Are you going to do a blog entry on me *bats eyes*. I love you, Mom. I'm going to add an entry to my blog here in a few minutes. Bye!
What a story, Darla. I bet you were so panicked. These little guys fill our hearts with love, but sure keep us on our toes.
I never told you, but the day I took the boys to Lunar Golf, Grayson ran out of the mini golf in a split second on his own as we were finishing. We all had to run after him to find him. He had gone in the store across the mall and was looking at something. The lady in the mini golf saw where he went and pointed him out to me, but he is one quick little boy!
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