A scary day

But in hindsight it could have been so much worse.

Did you see this story in the headlines? A 3 year old little boy disappears from his home in MO on Monday. He merely slipped out the back door, unnoticed. Bill and I watched a CNN news report about the missing child tonight. This hit REALLY close to my heart tonight. The reason being, this could be us...

This morning I was doing an art project with the kids at the kitchen table. James grabbed a piece of construction paper and said he wanted to color. Since I hadn't gotten the crayons out yet James asked me to help him. I asked him to wait a minute because I was in the middle of helping Ryan cut something out. James got down from the table and went out to the back porch where we keep the art supplies. He was out there for a few minutes when Bill called from the other room, "where's James?" I replied the he was on the porch getting crayons. Little did I know that this was NOT the case.

A minute or 2 later, the doorbell rang. I gasped, thinking it must be James but wondering how in the world he got out the door because he doesn't know how to get it open. I quickly ran out there. It wasn't James I saw but a stranger woman standing there. I opened the door to see 2 woman actually, standing there by MY James.

"Is this your son?"

"Yes" I replied scooping him into my arms. I was totally bewildered. Then the woman explained that they had seen James running across the highway...not once but twice. They pulled over and approached him. When they did, he led them back to our house (which was across the street). I thanked the woman (who by the way explained this in a less then friendly manner. She had a very angry disgusted look on her face.)

I took James into the house, still stunned that this had actually happened. Bill and I talked to James who seemed totally oblivious to what he did...like it was no big deal. I melted into a puddle of tears. I have been officially rewarded "Worst mother of the year". I didn't even know he was gone until the rang the doorbell. The time frame of all this was actually only 5 minutes. It happened so fast. I knew as soon as those two woman walked away that the cops would be the next to show up (of course they reported me). Sure enough 10-15 minutes later a cop is at our door.

Of course my house was messy from a morning of teaching the kids. Toys on the living room floor from Claire and James, art stuff all over the table, and dirty dishes on the counter. The first thing out of his mouth was, "Are you running a daycare facility here." Um no...these kids just all belong to me. He then took my name asked me what happened. I told him the whole thing. He took the the names and ages of all my kids. Talked to Bill. He then told us that he is required to report this to social services. Then he said don't sweat it, I'm sure everything will be fine. (Whatever, "don't sweat it", I've just been told that I am being reported to Social service, and now they may just show up at my door!). He then found an excuse to walk through the house (he said he wanted to see the backyard), I'm sure so he could see if our house was trashed. I explained that the reason for the boxes and bags of stuff on the back porch is because we are moving in a few months...I don't want him thinking we live like slobs. Ug! He left shortly after talking to James and telling him not to run away again.

What a nightmare! I still feel sick thinking about it. I think of all the what ifs. As I tucked James in tonight and kissed him on the cheek, I thanked God for this little boy, for protecting him. After hearing the story about the 3 year old today who is still missing, I feel so grateful that my boy is sleeping soundly in his bed. My heart aches for those other parents. I know how quickly things can change. Life could have taken a much worse turn for us today. I am praising God it didn't, but praying for the parents who's lives will never been the same.