The Longest Minute

Today we decided to take the kids to Mystic Pizza for lunch and then spend the rest of the day at the aquarium.  Pizza was awesome, as usual and they had fried pickles!  I know, I know, could there be anything worse on the menu, but damn they were so, so good.  With Game On, you can have one meal off a week, so this was that meal.  I wasn't gonna miss out.  

When we got to the aquarium, it was crowded, which we expected due to school vacation.  We did have two free passes and that was cool because it is one of the priciest things in this area.  

DH and I both do a pretty good job watching the kids and knowing where they are at all times.  Ok, actually, I can get crazy with watching over them, but it is what moms do.  

About half-way through our visit M was looking at one tank and A was looking at the one next to it.  DH and I were behind them.  In an instant when we both looked at what M was looking at, A went missing.  

As most of you know, the inside part of the aquarium is kinda dark and the crowd did not make it any better.  We started to look all around and she just wasn't near us.  In a panic I started yelling for her and so did M.  My husband ran to the door and started his way back.  In the meantime, a woman who works there asked what she was wearing, I told her, and then, I started to cry.  

The thoughts that go through your head will make you crazy.  Where is she, how did we miss this, we were right there.  Is she scared, is she calling for me? Where the hell is my baby!!!!!

Then, we saw her.  She was with a woman who worked at the aquarium.  I grab her and cried even more.  The very nice woman said A went up to her to tell her she was lost.  I was so proud of her for not freaking out (like her mother) and looking for a person in a uniform and asking for help.  We thanked her and then I looked for the nearest bar.  No, no just kidding, but I did need to find a place  to sit and calm down.  

Now here is the crazy thing.  This all went down in 1 minute.  Think about that for a moment, 1 minute.  Do you know what you can do in that small amount of time?  Stop now and look at the clock and time it. Did it take longer than you thought or fly by?  That one minute to DH and I felt like forever.  Our little girl was missing and there was plenty of time for someone to grab her and head out the door.  Honestly, I am teary while writing this.  

Now, she is fine and we are all home and the kids are ready for bed.  Thank God!  I cannot even imagine what we would be doing or feeling if that were not the case.  Tonight, I will say an extra prayer for the missing and scared children out there and for their parents.  I just cannot imagine anything worse.  

So tell me, are you a parent that never leaves your kids side or do you give them a little more freedom?  

On a good note, Game On is going well.  It is a little easier than I thought it would be.  Yesterday, I was able to get 10 miles on the bike in and then I walked for 1 mile.  My back is not doing so good today.  I think it was all the walking and standing at the aquarium.  Oh well, I see the doc on Friday.  Thank you for all the good thoughts you sent my way.  

Since we are on vacation, I am sure we will head out to another crowded, kid hot spot tomorrow, but I may handcuff the kids to me so I can enjoy the exhibits without worry.  

Run strong, think big!