10 minutes can change everything.

I have mixed feelings about whether or not every parent should feel the way I felt this afternoon. 

Lainy and Jared ride scooters outside on a regular basis.  We live on a quiet street and I just keep the door open to listen for them.  Today was no different.  Well,  yes it was.  Today I lost and found Lainy.  I came out to Jared telling me that he couldn’t find Lainy.  He said she had crossed the street to pet a dog. She isn’t allowed to cross the street.  Red flag.  He said she followed it.  RED FLAG.  He said it was a dad with the dog.  At that point I was a wild screaming desperate mother running and yelling my sweet girls name.  I called 911 immediately.   They ask you seemingly simple questions. But when you have to tell a 911 operator that your daughter has blonde hair blue eyes and what she is wearing, it is the most terrifying feeling I have EVER felt in all of my existence.  Jayce took off on his bike to scope the closest streets.  He found her around the corner and down the street. She was petting a cat. 

10 minutes. 

She was only gone 10 minutes and it changed me forever.   The police came in record time just to make sure all was well.  He said that there were 30 units en route before we had found her.  My sweet baby.  All 3 of my children came into Lainy’s room while their very emotionally charged mother said words that I am sure they will forget.  But I am sure none of us will forget the feeling we had as we all cried and hugged together in realization of what could have been.  I am immensely grateful for the outcome.  I am grateful that I could learn this lesson without losing my Lainy for longer than 10 minutes.