Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Brume where are you?

When someone says there is nothing like looking for a missing child I never knew what it really meant. Of course I assumed that the parents will be mad with worry and so many scenarios will be playing on their minds of where the child might be; if someone had kidnapped the child etc.

I experienced it. And I don't wish it for anyone to look for a child, a spouse, sister, brother....

I decided to do an impromptu shopping on Friday. So I packed the kids and we took the bus to the mall. My 20 month old son was sleeping when we got there so everything was good. While I was checking summer clothes for them he woke up and wanted to get out of his stroller. Maybe I should have insisted he stayed in but since he normally just stays around me when he is off his stroller, I felt it was okay. We left the girl's section to go to the boys section, when his sister said "Mummy Brume is missing". I was like "what do you mean Brume is missing, he is right here". Then i looked around and didn't see him. We started calling out, looking around and we didnt see him. At that point i was already getting frantic, my calls were louder; we were running from one end of the outlet to the other. One cashier asked what the problem was, told her i was looking for my kid described what he was wearing. She now alerted the shop manager. Immediately they got the floor on lock-down. Staff were placed on every exit point while others went around looking for him. I was close to tears at this point. I was just praying and making all sorts of promises to God to keep my boy safe. I was out of my mind.

After 15minutes that felt like 24 hours , they found him in the toy sections riding a toy car. I was so happy to see him my heart became so light i wanted to scream for joy. Later I thought, why didnt I think of the toy section? I guess i was just to panicked to think straight. There is a game my husband likes us to play where we will give likely steps we will take if we faced any situation or challenge.I just used to indulge him; I didnt really like playing that game cos I was always like it is not my portion, God will not allow that happen to me, so why think about it when it will never happen? Though we never got around to playing what should be done if your child is missing, now I am the one thinking up situations and thinking about what I would do if I am faced. Even if it will not happen, there is nothing like being ready.

So I wondered at Casey Anthony whose child was missing and she didn't report it for 31 days was thinking? Anyways that is another gist.

The first step to take when you notice anyone is missing is to immediately report to the local law enforcement or in my case to the manager so everyone can be on the lookout.

23 comments:

  1. Amen!!!

    You had a normal reaction to your child being missing. You involved others in your search and you took action yourself. You didn't give up until your child was found. You didn't go have lunch or just finish your shopping because your child's well being was your priority. To me, not saying anything would be negligence. And not saying anything for 31 days should have been a criminal act. IMHO

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  2. Ha! I was getting scared until I finish reading..Thank God he was found.I have seen moms looking for missing kids..its like no one exist around them, sometimes I stand in the corner shaking..my o.

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  3. Blessings......
    hmmmmm, know feeling ain't nothing worst that wondering and feeling completely helpless, lost on options, no way to turn. It maddening literally. Just God's way of keeping you on your toes.

    Glad you found him, blessings to your happy ending gurl....

    peace.
    Rhapsody

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  4. I'm so glad you found him
    I cannot even imagine the way you fely
    My hubby lost my second son at the airport once......Ten minutes of hell for me.
    Luckily, he was found safe.
    Thank God for great mercies.
    xxoxoxoxo

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  5. This happened to me at the local supermarket with Tomtom about nine months ago. I did exactly what you did. In fact, reading your post took me back again but in a nice way lol. One can smile now but at the time it was not funny. It took ten minutes but it felt like an hour of hell. I was already crying my eyes out and bordering on hysteria when the supermarket staff found her!

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  6. Thank God o. Just two Sundays ago, I couldn't find my daughter in the children's church after service. She had slipped out without the staff knowing. Just 2 or 3 minutes to search for her but my heart was already pounding! Not funny.

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  7. @ Alida: Thanks you and Thank God. Not reporting your child is missing after a month is more than negligence.I agree with you it is a criminal act. The jury were not convinced though.

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  8. Glad to know you found baby Brume. Thank God.

    That role play of your husband's is a good one to play..truly. It's good practice for everyone in the family o. You, Him, the kids. That keeps you thinking straight in less than normal situations.

    Borrowing the idea and string it for future use :p

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  9. Wow, just reading about it was nail-biting, I don't even know how I would feel if it had happened to me. Seems from the comments it happens to most parents at one time or the other. Hm...

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  10. @unveiledgold: Thanks and it sure was scary when it was happening.

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  11. @Rhapsody B: Yes, God got me on my toes. I thank Him I found him

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  12. N.I.L: Airport? I probably would have died. Thank God for His mercies

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  13. @ Naijalines: Reading your comment took me back in a good way too and I even managed a chuckle cos I got a out of body experience with your description. You expressed how i felt perfectly

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  14. @ Ginger: Thank God o. My husband will be glad someone thinks his role-play games makes sense.

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  15. @Myne: I pray you will be among the few who don't experience it cos it sure is scary

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  16. Hi Oke

    I am happy Brume was found o, that stuff is not funny in the least! I also agree that people should plans strategies or give likely steps we will take if we faced with any challenge.

    Mena

    p.s:your thoughts needed here ;) http://efemenaoreoluwa.blogspot.com/2011/07/disclaimer-very-controversial-sex.html

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  17. wow thank God o!

    I can imagine what a scare that was

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  18. That Casey case get k-leg but as na oyinbo system, nothing can be done for now.

    I can't imagine it but I know I will go crazy if i ever have to look for anyone.

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  19. Oh, am so happy you found him......the 'fear' is indescribable...my elder son's school bus dropped him as usual at home, i was few minutes late from coming back from my younger son's school & took another route. my 5years old son, after waiting for a while & didn't see me, left. i came back, didn't see him, asked my neighbour, who said he saw him few minutes ago but thought he was waiting for me..i raised alarm...screaming my son's name, all my neighbours came out, began searching with me........it was my best friend's neighbour that found him at my younger son's school & brought him back! my 5 years old son, knew where i went, but i never believed he knew the way to the school & even crossed the road! the security man took him to meet the teacher, who said i just left & sat him down, until my BF'S neighbour arrived, saw him & asked what he was doing here, then she brought him home...i knelt to thank her & gave praises to GOD...what about the tears???..my sistah..a trillion thoughts went through me within that 40mins of looking for him, i went around thanking all my neighbours that helped me,....so for a woman whose child was missing for 31 days & didn't bother to look for her or raised alarm, is highly suspicious!..well, she had been freed, absolved of her crime...so GOD would judge her!...some women don't deserved to be mothers!

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  20. Ehya... Kids and wht they love... Ony God can keep a watch over them. We can't.

    - LDP

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  21. Nice blog and def. Following yours now.
    I love this post,seeing him at the "toy section" made ‎​​me laugh See as mama panic o...hmm(the joy of motherhood though). In all things,we give thanks :D

    www.enobongekpott.blogspot.com

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  22. Thank God you found him, I can only imagine the anxiety and trauma you must have gone through.

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