Sigh...

My purpose in writing this blog, is to document O's life and my journey as a mother...which include the "good"...and the "bad"...This post falls under the "REALLY BAD" category.

Yesterday O and I went to Costco to get a few items...we walked in and got a Swirl Frozen Yogurt to share. O was holding my hand as I got the treat. After paying, I walked over to the spoon counter, with O right behind me. Then we walk through the tables of people eating, and O is behind me...(Do see where this is going?)...

My empty cart was parked next to the wall, and I had to cross the line that now had formed of people waiting for the cashier at the deli. O was behind me. I cross it, place my wallet and yogurt in the cart, so that I am hands free and able to pick up O and place him in the cart...but when I turn around he is not there. Momentary gasp, and I turn toward where we just came from and look for him. He is not there. So I begin to call his name...people look around for a lost child, and I see the entrance to Costco right there. I didn't think that O had left, but the thought that someone took him crossed my mind.

I cross the cash registers and I am calling his name...a Costco employee comes up to me and asks me what he looks like. I ask her to please close the doors, and that he is wearing orange pants and a green coat. At this point, I was in a daze...adrenaline pumping...heart racing...trying to keep my head clear, although all I kept imagining in that instance was horrible.

Then, at the OPPOSITE corner of Costco, be both see O. He was casually walking. I break into a sprint and as I get close to him, I just said, "There you are piglet!" and he says, "Mom, I was looking for you"...I go up to him, and he grabs my hand and we calmly walk back to the cart. There was no anger, or tears. We just picked up where we left off...as we reach the cart, I see my wallet just laying there...

It was a lesson day for me...although I knew he was right behind me, for those 3 seconds that it took me to put my wallet and yogurt in the cart, O and I lost contact. As I crossed the line of people, O must have not seen me, and just kept walking ahead. When I didn't see him, I didn't look ahead in the direction I was walking, but retraced my steps, so in essence, we were moving away from each other.

It is my responsibility as O's mom, to make sure he is always safe...and I now will make sure that he is in my sight every second...that is what was so amazing to me about yesterday...it only took a few seconds for us to get lost...

Anyway...we are both OK...I felt pretty bad but I'm over that...and know that I will do better next time. I did love how O wasn't upset at all...he was just looking for me, and kept it together!

:-)