The Wanderer

I had one of the scariest experiences of my life this past weekend.

We went to our 15-year high school reunion. As I was mingling and looking around, my little Jackson decided to wander off. I was standing there with my three girls and Reagan says, "Mom, where is Jackson?" Well, I had assumed he went with Mike when he went to go throw some trash away a bit off from where we were. But something inside was nagging me to start looking.

What terrified me the most was there was a little stream not too far from where we were. That was the first place I looked... as I approached the water, I felt like my knees were going to give. I was relieved to find no baby in the water, but sickened at how quickly the water was moving.

Then Mike came back and I asked if he had the baby. He thought I was joking... no joke. So he started looking around to where he just came from; mind you, he had to walk about 5 minutes distance from where we were.

All the while I am just pleading with God to have my son be safe. I felt numb. I felt like a horrible mother. How could I let my sweet boy wander off like that?

Several minutes later Mike came walking back with Jackson in his arms. I was so relieved (to say the least) to see him with our boy. Mike said as he was looking for him, he caught a glimpse of him briefly before he went wandering around the side of a large building. I thought how fortunate we were that Mike saw him before he went around the building. The place we were at was huge!

I thanked Reagan for listening to the Spirit when he told her that we needed to start looking for Jackson. I told her that because she was listening we were able to find her baby brother. I am so grateful for God's angels who watch over our little ones. I was particularly grateful for our Father's tender mercies in protecting my precious baby boy.

I have never had one of my children wander off like that before. And I never want to experience that again! Usually I have him in a stroller, but unfortunately it got left at a park and when Mike went back to get it a couple hours later, it was gone.

Time to get another stroller!