Thanksgiving.  Home, family, friends, good eats....

I am from a very small town, surrounded by mountains, fun places to play, and a very safe place where everyone watches out for everyone.

This weekend, I took my family "home" for the thanksgiving feast.  My 6 yr old daughter wanted to take the dogs for a walk with her 9 year old friend, and since the town is surrounded by mountains, and is only a population of 400 or so, I said of course. I was sure that they knew the boundaries that I had clearly set up, and was confident that they would respect them.  Now, remember, I was raised in this town, and my 6 yr old daughter was raised there until 4 months ago.

Well, about 2 hours later, they still hadn't come home.  I supposed they got playing at the park or something, and sent my husband out to check up on them.  1/2 hour later he came home, saying that he couldn't find them, and all the people he talked to had not seen them in quite some time.  He checked many places, but being the control freak I am, scolded him for not doing a good enough job, and hopped in the car to take alook for myself.

So, I headed out, and looked at the most basic places first, the parks, along the creek, under the bridges, at the freinds houses.... no daughter!

So I headed out a bit from town, followed the paths that I knew she was interested in, and remembered the ones I liked....

Still, no daughter

So, I start to kinda panic... not major, but then scary thoughts start to enter my mind.  Did some weirdo pick them up?  Are they hurt.  But of course, logic can still function in my head, cause they aren't really missing yet...are they?  I am sure that the dogs wouldn't allow somenone to pick them up, but you never know.....

As each place I searched gave no lead, my fear started to creep in deeper and deeper.  Finally, I was at the graveyard, (a local historic landmark and tourist destination) which is surrouned by bush known for bears and coyotes....panic starting to get bigger and bigger.

By this time my husband wants to phone the police, but being from the small town, I don't want to do this, cause I know everyone will then show up, and I will be thought of as the "bad mother".  I beg him to wait until after we check out this area, feeling inside that if they are not here, then they are missing.  But as I enter the graveyard, I feel so afraid that I am thankful that he has not heeded my advice, and is calling the police.  I remember telling myself that I don't have to run, if they aren't here, then they are definately at the horses that are in the heavily wooded field adjacent to the cemetery....trying to be calm, i notice that I am running farther and farhter.  My family has all come out to search the area around it, some people on quads, and local walkers who were in the area start searching as well....

I get a call on my cell phone.... I answer it, and my mother tells me that some boys brought the dogs home...still on their leashes... ABSOLUTE TERROR rips through me. 

I start yelling as loud as I can "Kaytie sweetie, where are you honey...."  Louder and louder,

I am running so fast that I can't barely keep my footing...

THen, by the grace of god, she pops out of the feild next to me, "here I am mommy"

I didn't know weather to hit her, or kiss her.  I ended up grabbing her and hugging her so hard.  She must have known we were upset, (she saw all the family looking around) and the other little girl started to bolt home...

I called her, and explained that I am not upset, and did the good mommy thing...Now you know why we set boundaries...we were so worried...blah blah blah.

The cops show up, quads ready, and that really enforced my little speal..

Anyhow, I am sure you are wondering what they were doing.  THey had seen the horses, and the fearless children they are, tied up the dogs outside the pasture, and found some bindertwine, tied it around the horse's necks, and let them to a big garbage bin.  Crawled up, and rode these horses!  My daughter is infatuated with the things, and probably thought nothing about it.

SOOOO, needless to say, our thanksgiving was full of thankfullness.  Once the sun set, and it started to get cold, we were all so greatful that we were all stuffed with turkey, and not out searching for my 6 yr old little girl.

Lets all say a prayer for all our sisters and brothers in the program out there who have no clue where their children are.

With love;
Aron in the Mountains
(Captcodee)