It’s a moment you never want to witness.
The sharp intake of breath. A name called out, then a panicked shout. Energy explodes outward, shocking through the people moving blindly by, exposing them to one family’s life changing pain.
It’s the moment a child disappears.
Two siblings in turmoil. The older one’s face is splotchy, contorted, tears streaming down her cheeks. Loss embodied in a sister. The younger one stands stunned, silent, confused by angry voices surrounding her and a flurry of frantic activity.
Mothers descend on one of their own, rooted in the spot she last saw her child. “How old is she? What does she look like? What’s her name?” They scatter, desperate to return her to the fold, to prevent a horror from becoming this family’s story.
The unraveling begins.
Panic sparks anger, then accusations. I tell Bear how hard it is for parents who lose a child. How pain and terror rip through them, sometimes ripping them apart, sometimes for good. It’s a permanent tear in the fabric, a shift in the family’s collective memory. Even when the child returns there will forever be that one moment.
I see them standing shell shocked long after their daughter is found. I breathe in the pain of their panic then breathe out strength for the road ahead.
I’m with Stomperdad – I think in many places, using a leash of some type is the wise thing to do.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely. I used to be horrified by kids with leashes. *Obviously* that was before I had kids in all their squirrelly, jumpy, run straight into traffic glory. Lawd.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I always thought the “stomach drop” was just a saying until I experienced it myself. It is an actual feeling. It’s a smothering fear as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gracious, yes. That’s a perfect description, too — the fear does really feel like it could smother you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How awful. So glad it had a happy ending. Not a situation anyone wants to go through, either as a parent or as a witness.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was so grateful. We saw them on the other end, waiting to collect luggage, and I couldn’t help but wonder how their vacation was going to go…
LikeLiked by 1 person
How scary! My boys always get a firm warning to stay close when we head to crowded places. So glad she was found!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Honestly, it wrecked me. I thought about all the times I walked through an airport terrified one of the kids would slip away…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh… this was at an airport. That would be terrifying. When our oldest was between 1 and 2 and we’d be at the airport and he’d want to walk. He wouldn’t want to be carried or ride in the stroller. We weren’t above putting the backpack on him that has a leash.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes – I’ts an awful feeling – still feel it from the day my grandson couldn’t be found when I fetched him from school. The day care staff said he hadn’t turned up and was definitely not at Homework Class. We searched the school for 20 minutes before we found him exactly where he was supposed to be – THE HOMEWORK CLASS!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isn’t that the most awful feeling? That stomach drop thing…I’ve only had a small brush with this. I can’t imagine losing one in an airport!
LikeLike
this gave me chills just reading it. very well described.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. It was so hard to see.
LikeLiked by 1 person