Lost and Found

I lost Yaks yesterday while at Costco. I had gone to get the kids an ice cream for us to share, so Josh could look at some new frames in peace. Although I asked for two additional cups, I forgot to ask for two additional spoons. I waited in the little line, and tried to just sneak to the front to snag some spoons, but by the time I had my spoons, I had lost my son!

I asked Boo where he had gone, hoping she could share at least the general direction he headed. She replied, "Well...he's just not here." Thanks, Boo.

Is there anything more terrifying for a mother than to lose her child? At first you check all the obvious places he would be (by the tires, the vending machines, flipping through the carpet samples, rummaging in the garbage cans). When the seconds start to tick by, you start to sweat and crazy thoughts of what could happen to him start to flip through your mind like flashcards (times tables...those are the worst).

Roaming the parking lot. Hit by a car. Kidnapped. Back in the kitchen helping the food court people make pizzas!?

You say a quick and desperate pleading prayer, and you just keep looking!

I got Josh on the phone to help in the search, which escalated the panic when with our combined efforts, we still couldn't find him. I was about to alert the Costco authorities and brace myself for the embarrassing, "Attention shoppers. This negligent mother has lost her son. He answers to the name of "Yaks". He's wearing Cars shoes, blue pants, and a gray striped shirt. He may or may not have a pink binkie in his mouth..." Just then, I spotted his little walk, over by the register we had checked out at, several minutes before. Apparently, he hadn't gotten his fill of reorganizing the divider sticks for the conveyor belt, and was making himself busy helping the cashier. I scooped him up, apologized to the cashier, who looked grateful to be rid of his part-time helper by saying, "Oh, there's your mom. Later, dude." then I hugged him really, really tight.

He didn't get what the big deal was! He wasn't crying or panicked or missing his family, or relieved to see me. He was just playing at the Costco check-out. Oh, no wonder I have gray hair!