Oh my. I had almost exactly that experience with my brother elder by 8 years. We were gone maybe 3 hours. I throw that look on Mom’s face. It stays with me today.
You hit the nail on the head with your description. I have felt that debilitating panic, inability to breathe, and it is bar none the absolute worst I've ever felt.
Shell, not only did you pick the perfect photo for your piece, but you chose words and a narrative that had me, literally, breathless as I read. I have been on both sides of the horror you describe: the lost child and the parent who, for terror-stricken moments, thought I lost my oldest daughter. You have a knack with words and phrases. I could not believe my heart rate could get so high reading a sub stack piece. Genius.
That's what happens when we have experienced something similar, right? It awakens that feeling and our heart rate increases. That's what I love about reading & writing and finding people who can relate! 💓
"And the girls just looked at me like I had lost my mind." THAT'S my favorite part - my girls have been looking at me like that for forty-five years! It never gets old, and they will never grow up! Great piece Shell!
Oh man, I’ve had a few of those experiences as well, though I don’t think I could ever tell the story as well as you do.
Oh my. I had almost exactly that experience with my brother elder by 8 years. We were gone maybe 3 hours. I throw that look on Mom’s face. It stays with me today.
Yikes. Lost 2 of the 3 boys and they were playing in the house. But your story brings it all back, like it was yesterday. My heart is thumping
💓
You hit the nail on the head with your description. I have felt that debilitating panic, inability to breathe, and it is bar none the absolute worst I've ever felt.
Yes, agree--the worst. More than once I have felt this. It must take years off our lives. 🤦♀️
Oh yes, I agree. When I finally found my daughter (in the house) I was not much more than a puddle on the floor.
You too?! In the house? Oh my goodness.
Shell, not only did you pick the perfect photo for your piece, but you chose words and a narrative that had me, literally, breathless as I read. I have been on both sides of the horror you describe: the lost child and the parent who, for terror-stricken moments, thought I lost my oldest daughter. You have a knack with words and phrases. I could not believe my heart rate could get so high reading a sub stack piece. Genius.
That's what happens when we have experienced something similar, right? It awakens that feeling and our heart rate increases. That's what I love about reading & writing and finding people who can relate! 💓
"And the girls just looked at me like I had lost my mind." THAT'S my favorite part - my girls have been looking at me like that for forty-five years! It never gets old, and they will never grow up! Great piece Shell!
Thank you so much! 😊