lost and found

Yesterday my sister Laura and her girls Brynn (1^st grader) and Ansley (3 yr old) journeyed with me to Stone Mountain.  As Ansley would say not just Stone Mountain but “Stone Mountain Christmas!” 

 

We arrived and went to 4D Polar Express movie, got snowed on in there, watched a couple of full tilt Christmas shows.  Brynn and Ansley insisted they get dipping dots. They correlate Stone Mountain with Dipping dots.  They were a little bit cold eating them.  And we had to eat them by the “Gingerbread house!!”

We rode the “Christmas” Train (we missed out on the Christmas Parade-we figured that was the best time to ride the train. We were correct).  The train had Christmas music that correlated with the lights they had set up on the side of the track.  And We stopped in the little town on the other side of the mountain to listen to a lady tell us about “The Gift” the story of Jesus.  And as she told the story the different characters would light up.  Pretty good stuff.

 

Then we decided to go get in line for Santa.  Everybody has to see Santa.  “It’s SANTA! I KNOW him!” (Thanks Buddy the Elf…I love that line.)   Laura took Brynn to get hot chocolate while we waited.  Then came back without hot chocolate, they ran out of hot water.  We waited some more.  Then Laura went with Brynn to try again.  Ansley was dying to get out of line so I said “Go with Momma”  So she headed up the hill right behind Brynn who was right behind Laura.  As they went around the corner I remember thinking “I hope Laura realizes Ansley is with her.  I don’t think she does.”  And the 10 plus minutes they were gone I was praying that Ansley was right behind them.  I almost left the line to go see.

 

Laura came back and I said “Where is Ansley?”  (she has a tendency to lag behind because she likes to walk to her own step.)  Laura’s reply “Oh that’s not funny.”  Oh no.  Ansley is LOST.  Yep.  I helped lose my niece at Stone Mountain.  With about six billion people.  Laura ran into the store to tell the lady to call the security folks.  The girl couldn’t get anyone on the phone.  While I am standing there a guy says “I hope they find it.”  I said “it’s a child!”  His statement “I hope they find him.  Well, I hope the right people find him.”  Are you kidding me?  Really? You just said that out loud?  Lady still trying to get the police on the phone, Laura comes in freaking out.  I said “I’m going to find someone.” 

 

I ran over to the food court and said “Where is a policeman?”  Girl said “right outside”  I went out the door and there were 3 security/police people.  I started to say “ I need help”  when I realize the Security lady has a pink ball of kid in her arms.  About that time I said something to the lady and Ansley turned around smiling and said “Hey AA.  I’m getting hot chocolate and a funnel cake!”  I pretty much said “Ansley! We have to find your momma!”  I think the security lady said “is that your sister?”  “Yep.” And I snatched her up and took off.  Finally found Laura.  The security lady said “She was right- you have brown hair and you are AA.” 

 

Needless to say my moments after getting Ansley and going to find Laura were scenes straight from a movie- everything slow mo but sped up.  And too many people in my way as I made my way back to the store.  And I am crying and laughing “Ansley we thought you were lost!”  Ansley said that she couldn’t find Momma so she told the police lady she needed help.  She needed to find momma.  And she said she would help me. 

 

Didn’t phase the kid a bit.  She was just mad because she wasn’t getting her funnel cake right then.  So we walked back to the Santa line and I said to the people who had been behind us (who had moved all of 3 feet up in line) “We’ve found our lost child now.  Do you mind if we get back in line?”  Woman’s reply (step mom of a 12 yr old in a fancy dress) “Um yes. I do mind.”  Whoa. Ok. Merry Christmas.  I will get behind you then in front of the nice grandma and her people.  And oh by the way- after you get your picture taken of your stepdaughter the computer messes up and you can’t get what you want.  I reserve the commentary as to why on that one…

 

Anyway. We see Santa.  Ansley with her coat on.  Her Stone Mountain Police sticker badge proudly displayed. 

Then we got to see our final show about Toys and Christmas spirit.  And the funnel cake.  And the Snow Angel flying over after making it snow and fireworks.  As Ansley said during the Train ride and as the Snow Angel lady hung in the air as it snowed on the audience “Perfect. It’s just perfect.”  Indeed it is. 

 

And as I type this out I am grateful. 

1. That I am not a parent.  Yesterday was more than I ever want to endure again.  Good and scary.  (I say this mostly in jest.  Parenting I am sure is wonderful.  I love kids.  But seriously.  Whoa to yesterday) Grocery store “lost” does NOT equate to theme park “lost”

2. That Ansley is a smart little kid and knows to ask police for help.

3. That she pretty much has no clue that being lost is a terrible thing.

4. For the Lord’s protection and provision

5.  For “The Gift” of Christmas.  Christ. For all of us. 

6. For the Holy Spirit’s involvement yesterday- I don’t know that my continual prayers meant anything in the midst of all that happened last night. But I think it did.  Ironically I looked at the map yesterday earlier in the day specifically to see what it said if you lost a kid what to do.  Lost and Found was all that was listed.

7. For the sweetness that Ansley and Brynn are and the joy of the Christmas season through their eyes and with them. 

8. For simple things like hot chocolate, snow, and funnel cakes. 

9. Being “found” and knowing ultimately I will never be “lost”

 

Now if I can only talk about last night without breaking into sobs. 

 

Enjoy your peeps.  Find a little magic this Christmas.  Give generously.  Love obnoxiously. Celebrate HIM.

 

I plan to get Ansley a lojack to plant in her shoes. Just fyi.

Comments

[Queenie]

That is one horrible, scary feeling when you lose a child!! Mama taught her well...she knew exactly what to do! Glad you all ended up having a great time!! Loved sharing your time with family:) Sweet memories in spite of the scary stuff!

[Mona Scarbrough]

I"m so glad she was found so quickly. Love your blog...I've missed you.

Mona

[Andi]

Thank ya'll. I miss ya'll too. But I blog in my head daily to you :)