OMG, He's GONE!!!

[atmomma]

For a terrifying 15 minutes my son was missing. And I don't mean hiding behind the couch or in a closet or under a bed. Missing. Earlier today I decided to put my clothes away so I was in my room, Hubby was taking a shower and Thomas was in the living room watching cartoons. Or so I thought. After a little while I thought it was awfully quiet in there so I went to check on him. He wasn't there. So I look in the back yard. He has a special spot he likes to play in. Again, he wasn't there. I then figured maybe I missed him going past my room and he was in his. I checked his bed and his closet and no Thomas. At this point I am starting to worry but only a little. I think he is hiding from me. He is three and hide and seek is one of his favorite games. After checking all the favorite hiding places and not finding him I start to panic. I ran to the bathroom and told to David to get out of the shower now because Thomas is gone!!! I can't find him. I run to the front yard now to see if he is playing with the flowers. I run back through the house and into the backyard where I find David in only a towel searching the crawl space under the house. I ran to the alley and still didn't find him. I run back to the front yard and down the street, around the corner and halfway down the next street screaming his name and begging him to just answer me. A truck passed by me and turned around when he heard me yelling Thomas' name. He asked if everything was ok. I quickly told him what Thomas was wearing and that he has bright red hair and that sweet soul parked his truck right there and got out to help me look for him. I am frantic at this point. I run the other way down the street still screaming his name and only one person came out to see what was wrong. Our across the street neighbor walked down his alley calling for him. I run back the other way and into the man from the truck. He was on his cell phone calling the police for me because he is a retired policeman and can get the ball rolling really fast. I run to do another sweep of my house just to make sure. As I came back out into the front yard I just happened to think about my van. I looked at the windows to see if the locks were up or down and they were locked. As an afterthought I put my forehead against the side window and I saw Thomas move. I only barely saw it but he was in there. I was simultaneously thrilled, pissed off, and scared to death. I started banging on the window telling him to unlock the door but I think he was close to passing out and couldn't understand. In my panic I completely forgot for a few seconds that my keys were only 10 feet away inside the house. Once I remembered I quickly unlocked the side door and snatched my baby. He was soaked in sweat and lethargic. I have no idea how long he was in there or even how he got in it. I didn't lock the van doors, I remember that now, but I also didn't think he could open the doors either. About  2 minutes later, 5 minutes after he called them,two police cars pulled up in front of my house. I've never had to call the police before but I think that was really fast. I thanked the retired policeman several times and the other officers several times as well. I wish I had gotten his name because there is nothing I would like to do more right now than send him flowers and a card to say thank you for helping me. Today I experienced one of my biggest fears and thankfully enough I found my son in time. It breaks my heart to think of all the mothers who lose their childern forever for any reason. As little as my ordeal was it has really opened my eyes to the everyday struggle that those mothers face and I don't think I will be that person who only glances at those posters but doesn't really look anymore. Something else I've learned today is to NEVER underestimate your childern or assume that they won't or can't do something just because they never have before. I will always lock my van now when I get home. I will always lock the deadbolt on my front door if I am not in the living room with my kids. I will be getting a stick to wedge into my sliding back door very soon so that they cannot go outside without my knowledge anymore. There are so many things that are going to change around here. How sad is it that I had to almost lose my son to open my eyes? To anyone that actually reads this, tell every mom you know not to overlook those little things.

[mothermayiam]

Sep. 3, 2008 at 10:18 PM

God Bless himn he is ok! WOW!  You must have been terrified. Thank God for your Angel the man in the truck.  I will learn from you.

[Dahls.Mommee]

Sep. 3, 2008 at 10:19 PM

first and foremost i'm so glad for you that you found your son! i can only imagine how horrifying that was for you.

secondly, don't minimize what you went through! it was a HUGE ordeal for you, and that's what matters!

i don't really have any advice to offer you as to how you can prevent him from doing the same thing again other than to just explain to him how badly he scared you and his father!

[MSugarKane]

Sep. 3, 2008 at 10:20 PM

I felt your panic as I read this journal. Thank you for sharing this with the Moms here. Your right when you say, don't over estimate them. I always am saying that to my grown girls who have toddlers and one has a three year old. I am so glad there is a good ending to this story. 

[Lesli17537]

Sep. 3, 2008 at 10:39 PM

Oh my~ My heart goes out to you! I can't only imagine your fears as you searched for your son.

 

I am so happy that you found him in time and that everyone is okay.  Thankyou for posting so all of the other mommies can hopefully avoid similar experiences.

[southern_mama4]

Sep. 3, 2008 at 11:43 PM

oh, im so sorry amanda. wow, that must have been terrifying. thank god u found him in time and dont ever think about what coulda been, cuz it didnt happen. thomas seems like such a quiet, calm boy (except when hes around amelia, lol). did u have to take him to the hospital? or did some cool air and water help out fine? stuff like that is really scary when it happens to someone you know. im glad u found him, and u got help, even if it wasent the whole neighborhood. even just one extra eye can help. this is one of those times where u wanna punish him for doing something wrong, but then at the same time ur so ecstatic that u found him and he is okay, and that is what matters.