I pressed my nose against the glass and the cold rushed through my body.
I stood there for a few minutes, wiping away the fog that my breath left on the glass door.
I stared outside, scanning the parking lot.
The car is still there.
I peeled my nose off the door and whipped my body around.
My little legs trembled, as I started to run.
She is still here. She didn’t leave me.
I ran out of the department store and into the mall.
I grabbed onto the railing and peeked down to the first floor.
I tried to concentrate on the moving crowd.
Is she here? I don’t see her?
“Sweetie are you ok?”
I nervously turned around as I held tightly onto the railing.
“It’s ok honey. We’ll call for your mom.”
She grabbed my hand and led me back into the department store.
My tiny eyes kept watch for my mom.
The woman stopped at the first desk we came to.
She picked up the phone and made a call.
My hands gripped together and I could feel my heart pounding.
Within moments, I saw my mom running towards me, pushing a stroller with my baby brother.
She was out of breath and her hair was slightly disheveled.
We embraced and my body instantly felt warm.
Looking back on this memory, I can now understand how my mom felt.
I lost my son for a few minutes. The feeling is indescribable.
30 years later, this moment still haunts my mother and it’s a memory I still have from my childhood.
Whether you are a parent or a child….the memory, feelings stay with you forever.
{ 40 comments… read them below or add one }
This is such a scary feeling! I had to search for JDaniel once. He was quietly hiding in a rack . It was terrible.
It’s a horrible feeling, I know. My kids love playing games and hide on me and it freaks me out, especially since I lost my son when he was little.
That’s one of my worst fears. I have told my kids that hiding at home is fine, but when we go out somewhere, there is absolutely no hiding, without question.
I remember getting turned around in a store once when I was little, and in the brief minute or so it took to track my mom down, I was in full panic. It’s so scary.
Kmama´s last [type] ..Rockin’ Monster Jam
Oh my boys try to hide on me and it freaks me out!
I cannot imagine. This is a fear of mine. That feeling never goes away, does it? The gap at the bottom of your heart opening up and feeling hollow -(.
Sili´s last [type] ..Monday Musings: Choosing
No it doesn’t. I can still relive the moment I lost my son…it was the worst feeling in the world. One I hope I never have to relive again.
So scary! I’ve lost my oldest two- once each- and the terror is still there.
Shell´s last [type] ..Pour Your Heart Out: Crying Over Burnt Eggs
I know…the worst feeling a parent can have.
Oh god I remember that feeling as a kid. I can’t begin to imagine what it must be like as a mom. My little guy just started walking and I am already worried about him wandering away.
Julia´s last [type] ..No Sugar Added
Yes, I was in a crowded place when I lost my son. I thought my world was over, literally.
Oh yes, the horror. I was once at a department store with my son and my then newly hired nanny when they were out of my sight for a few minutes. It was the longest few minutes ever and scared the hell out of me.
Maureen | Tatter Scoops´s last [type] ..Glimmers of Hope
Yes a minute or two can feel like hours!
oh i HATE HATE that feeling. I had a brief moment of that as a mom too and it’s terrifying. I so hope my kids never feel that panic!
Devan @ Accustomed Chaos´s last [type] ..A Small Shift, A Few Changes and Some Cute Faces
I know…it’s horrible!
Yes. Losing the child you hold dear to your heart is just terrifying. My son has vanished twice on us. The first time, a cop found him. My husband had turned his head for ten seconds before he vanished. The second time, we were in Disney, and he LEFT THE RESTAURANT. Fortunately, Disney staff caught him looking terrified just outside the door.
Jessie Powell´s last [type] ..At the Museum Center
OMG at Disney! It’s so scary!
I vaguely remember getting lost in a department store once. Scary stuff, all around!
Jenn [ Crippled Girl ]´s last [type] ..50
Yes for child and parent…both live with me
That gives me such a pit in my stomach. Even a few seconds feels like eternity. So glad there was a happy ending!
Amy ~ Eat. Live. Laugh. Shop.´s last [type] ..Albums that define my life.
Yes! When I lost my son it must have been for a few minutes but felt like hours!
Oh, heck yes! That is understandable that it stayed with you and your mom. Isn’t that one of every mother’s greatest fears?
molly´s last [type] ..When I think my morning is hard
Yes it is!
Oh, I was holding my breath even now! The most terrifying thing a parent can experience!
Mel´s last [type] ..Heavy
It really is….so frightening!
This is my worst fear.
I remember when we went to Orlando one year, we lost my sister in a store. We were really little at the time. She ran off and hid behind some huge Mickey Mouse doll. I just remember my mom crying and my dad yelling for the store manager to lock the doors so that no one could leave or enter.
So scary
Kimberly´s last [type] ..I’m A Pretty Big Thing In H-Town
Yes even kids can remember it….I hope I never have to go through this again, so scary!
My goodness… my heart was pounding reading this. That scares me. I pray I’m never in those shoes. Worst fear ever, for sure.
Cam | Bibs & Baubles´s last [type] ..I’m Two!
Yes it is
Oh, that’s got to be the worst feeling!
Adrienne´s last [type] ..Dear son,
It is….horrible
I believe as parents we have all had this happen at least once and with each child.
I lost my son for what seemed like an eternity when I was 6 months pregnant with my daughter who we lost about a year ago for again what seemed like an eternity. It was a matter of seconds on both accounts but its not a feeling any parent wants to go though nor is it a memory that fades.
Kisma´s last [type] ..When the lights go out…
Yes…when I lost my son it was probably for a few minutes but it felt like hours!
This is one of my biggest fears as a mother!
Barbara´s last [type] ..Love Equality
It is so scary!
Oh, that is the scariest feeling!
christine´s last [type] ..Memories Captured, Daddy Edition
It really is
Awww, hun, I can only imagine! I remember losing my mom in a mall once, too, and that was the worst feeling in the world… Can’t even begin to think about what was racing through my mom’s head.
I did get a very big Popeye bar of soap that kind of made up for it though
Charlotte´s last [type] ..girl zone
Crazy how we can remember these feelings from being a kid, scary!
I JUST lost my toddler for the first time this last week and it was scary! It was only a couple minutes – but still! It really is frightening. Luckily, he had no clue. He hadn’t even realized I wasn’t behind him!
I know it feels like hours! Thankfully he doesn’t remember. My son had nightmares after he got lost