Peace and Pandemonium

I had an eye opening experience on Sunday. Isaiah had left to go on a walk with our neighbors the Kemp's a half hour earlier and Sophia really wanted to go. She came into our room and asked for us to take her for a walk. We were both relaxing and told her that we weren't going to go on a walk right then but that she could play upstairs or in our yard. Her reply was the sweetest "Oh, ok". She happily walked out of our room and headed upstairs.

About 10 minutes later Liz dropped Isaiah off and invited us over to their house for treats. I told her we would come right over, I just had to get everyone rounded up first. I started looking around for Sophia and realized she wasn't in the house. I walked outside and checked our front yard, the neighbors backyards, our car, our backyard, and still no sign of her. I went back inside to recheck the house. Upon realizing she really wasn't there, I started to panic. I told Steven she was lost and we both got up to really start looking. Thankfully I had the Kemp's and the Trask's right outside my house willing to help and once I verified that she wasn't in our house, everyone dispersed into different directions. Elisha walked around the block and I started pounding on our neighbors doors. She wasn't any where to be found.

Panic! Heart pounding out of my chest! Dark fear!

I ran home and called the police. I hadn't seen much of Sophia that day, I had meetings, was busy working and visiting friends. It hurt me because I didn't know what she was wearing. How could I not know what she was wearing?! I described her the best I could. I couldn't really think straight. Still no sign of her.

Eventually the cops showed up. Two cars from either direction. Right about that time I could see our friend Adam in the distance. He was blurry and I couldn't tell if he had my baby or not. The cop said that the man down there had a little girl and wondered if I knew him. I said "Yes I know him but I don't know if that's my baby" He had his daughter with him and he was still too far away for me to recognize my little Sophie. The cop radioed down to the other cop and it was confirmed, Adam had found her.

Relief! Pure relief. Thanks and praises. I slumped under the weight of the concern I had just been consumed by. I started to cry.

I held my Sophia as tightly as I could without hurting her. I just whispered to her, "I love you, I love you, don't ever leave me, I need you."

30 minutes after she left my room to go for a walk she was back in my arms. The craziest part is this. For any of you who know my neighborhood, Adam found her at CENTER STREET! Center Street! That means that she crossed a very busy road, and wandered five blocks away in the process. I wish I had taken her on the walk that she so badly wanted to go on. I'm grateful for the second chance and for the learning experience. I never would have dreamed that my baby girl would have been so bold as to wander so far from home by herself. Now I know. I will be watching her like a hawk. I still shudder when I ponder what happened, and worse, what could have happened. I try not to, but I guess the fear serves to keep me alert and aware.
Mom's, watch your babies closely.


Thank you to everyone who helped us search for Sophia. Especially Adam, you saved the day, and my life. I am deeply grateful for your sensitive mind and heart. I have the best neighbors and friends. I am so very blessed. I love you all.