I Blame the Faux Finish

Because of my so-fun painting project, I had to make an unscheduled trip to Lowe's today. While looking at paint chips, Micah decided to run up and down the aisles, round some corners and generally do everything in his boy powers to not stay at my side. I rounded him up, herded him back, and scolded and admonished him until I thought my head would explode. When I walked around the paint counter to see the other paint displays, he chose to lag behind, dawdle and piddle. I figured he needed a lesson in Instant Willing Obedience so I simply walked away from him when he refused to come. I kept the eyes in the back of my head on high alert for him, and watched as he walked around the counter, didn't see us, and silently wet his diaper in fear.

He lost his mom.

Being the stellar mom that I am, I chose to let him stand there freaking for a few seconds before I quietly called his name and made him realize that I was right in front of him. He was visibly relieved. Lesson learned, harmlessly.

I had taken Luke along with me, and he had spotted the Kid Workshop poster at the front of the store. He was very excited about the possibility of making a pirate ship and a pirate treasure box. Can you even imagine? How fun would that be?! Can I go? Huh? Huh? When is it? Who's bringing me? Where do they do it in the store? Will I get to keep the things that I make? And while I was answering the thousand and six questions on the Kid Workshops, Micah rounded a corner. I saw him walk away and realized that his lesson had not been learned. By the time I walked to the end of the aisle (which was all of about four steps) Micah was nowhere in sight. He couldn't have gone far in that small space of time, so Luke and I walked up and down the center aisle, looking down side aisles. Nada. Luke thought he saw Micah's crocs walking toward the restrooms so we headed there. Zip. Seeing as how the restrooms are right at the front of the store (where the paint section is) I sent Luke out into the parking lot to check. Zilch. We walked up and down the main aisle once more before I realized that by this time Micah could be anywhere in the store.

I lost my son.

I informed the closest employee and a Code Adam was called. For my son. Because I let him walk off. They asked what he was wearing and I told them. They asked how old he was, and in an effort to be as helpful as possible so that he could be found quickly, I said "six, but he looks more like four. He can't talk."

It was only a minute before he was found. We were both very much relieved, my lost son and I.

And after it was all over, the thought that lingered in my mind was that, while giving his description, I failed to mention that he has Down syndrome. Funny how we just don't define him by that.

11 comments:

the planet of janet said...

i've lost a child before.

i still haven't started breathing again.

Andrea said...

That is the worst feeling ever!!!! I am so glad you found him. What a scary trip to the store.

red pen mama said...

I lost Bun at the children's museum once. it's a heart stopper alright.

And I'm not surprised you didn't say anything about his Downs. It's not how you see him. And that's a beautiful thing.

glad everyone's okay.

ciao,
rpm

Burgh Baby said...

The last line of this post? Is amazing. LOVE IT.

Flea said...

It's horrid losing a child. Especially unintentionally. :)

You should define him by the layers of dirt. Paleolithic era, maybe. :) Isn't that the way with a 6 year old boy?

Rachel said...

I'm with Burgh Baby. This whole post is scary and riveting and wonderful but, the last line is what makes it.

Krista said...

The little stinker! I've lost my children several times and you were good to remember what he was wearing. I don't think I would remember that half the time and would be glad that they were just dressed. Hair combing optional. JK. They always look like royalty. They just don't act like it.

Karen Deborah said...

I am so toooo old for that stress.

I had a kid like that, I snapped a leash to her britches.

Michelle said...

Ohhh we did that three years ago at a fourth of July parade when we didn't adequately explain that parade over didn't mean "walk away." VERY scary. I'm glad he was readily found -- I'll take the embarrassment of that anyday over the alternative.

And really? The next Lowe's project is a pirate ship and treasure box? I may have to go look into that for Mister Man. Thanks for the heads up!

Shellie said...

Whew! Glad you found him, and something is right if you forgot to mention Downs. If only we all saw past those outside labels.

JennyH said...

grr- I just typed it all out then closed it before I posted it...

Max has ran from me SO many times. I don't think I ever said he had Ds when giving a description. Just clothes, hair color and age. I also told them to grab him if they spotted him b/c he would keep running from me. They rarely did it.

He finally got better last summer (age 7) about running off. But the last 2 weeks on vacation he was somewhat of a runner. Not good when it's inside Yellowstone!

I pretty much expected it to happen every time I went to a store. A couple times he hid in the dressing rooms. That was fun...