I couldn't tell you how old I was, and I am sure my mom could challenge the details as I remember them. But as my memory serves, I was playing in a fun house type zone and when I came out of it mommy and daddy were no where in sight.
Being lost is frightening and no fun. But you know what is worse than that lost sensation as a child? The feeling that a parent gets when they cannot find their child!
Every mom....correction, every GOOD mom is familiar with the need for visual scan of their child/ren and that moment of edge-of-panic when no visual can be instantly made.
On Thursday, I suffered from the fear of loosing a child all day while playing with my own children at six flags. And for most of the day each anxiety filled Moment was in vain as visual was obtained in a slight shift in position.
But at the end of the day, just before we were preparing to leave, it happened. THIS IS NOT A DRILL! Zechi was
L-O-S-T!
It happened too fast and too suddenly. At one moment we were all standing by and observing the Sting Ray exhibit, red arrow on map, and in the time it took for me to grab a diaper from the stroller and fasten it on my standing toddler (literally 1 min. Tops-because you get quick at these tasks being a mom of three) he was gone. So, I picked up Tabbers and shifted views to obtain visual. None.
I shifted again. Still none. Again. Again. Again...approaching panic. Luckily I had not traveled alone and asked my Aunt Recia if she had Zech. No. No? No!? Panic being repressed. Val, my cousin, also No. I left the two older girls with Christine. Recia, Val and I spread out into the three different pathways of travel.
I the one closest, praying as I scanned the crowds ferociously. "Lord, as a parent I realize that I am not in control. So I pray, desperately for his safety and return." I can honestly not tell you the span of time he was missing..but it was too long.
I had made my loop twice, and just completed Val's loop when I saw my Aunt carrying Zechi back. My heart stopped and leapt for joy in the same moment as I grabbed him in MY arms. No scolding words escaping my lips, praises to God flying through my mind, tears streaming down his silent cheeks. Tears pricking the corners of my own eyes as I not only placed him in the stroller but buckled him in, fastened despite his protests.
I could do literally nothing but hug on and kiss him during our next exhibit, and was relieved to learn that everyone was ready to leave.
The whole drive home I was thankful, I praise God nightly since. So many children are lost daily to death and abduction. So many parents still praying for the hope of return. In the bat of an eye a child can be gone. And maybe I am being over dramatic, but for the duration of his missing all I could pray was " God please..." ( I know what you are saying, for I know every thought that comes into your minds. Ez. 11:5)
"Oh God..." (Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Matt. 7:7)
"God..." (the Lord give you wisdom and understanding, that you may obey the Law of the Lord your God as you rule over Israel. 13 For you will be successful if you carefully obey the decrees and regulations that the Lord gave to Israel through Moses. Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or lose heart! 1 Chron. 22:12)
In the moments of his missing I can honestly say I didn't give into panic but tested fully on the trust and assurance of our Lord. It was not until he was safe in my arms that tears flooded my eyes and I was overjoyed with praise.
All glory to him!
So, where was he? Well, he's not quite three so the facts will always be a mystery. But here are the pieces I put together.
He got bored and wandered...
Oh, that looks cool...wandered farther...
Uh-oh, where's mommy.
Wandered in the wrong direction...
Seriously where's mommy....
Tears....
Approaching dolphins....
The animal trainers saw a young boy crying with a lost look on his face...
They crouch down
Zechi asked them "where's my mom?" They stay low, nearby, look around for a lost mom and comfort the child...
Aunt Recia saw two trainers crouched low and went that direction..
One trainer stood up to radio lost/found...
Aunt Recia sees the back of a small boy and thinks it could be Zechi....it's Zechi! (Blue arrow)
Zechi sees a familiar face and launched into her arms...
I don't care how it happened. I am just so thankful...grateful...relieved...
That my child is home.
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