Losing Lincoln

The kids and I had a super fun trip planned to go visit my cousin, Darci, and her family in Wisconsin today. She lives a little over an hour away, so we loaded up my phone with "The Fellowship of the Ring" and away we went. Close to half way there I realized that both little boys had been quiet for a while, so asked Elise if they were sleeping. She said Trevor was, and I asked her about Lincoln. The following ensued:

Elise: I can't see him, Mom.
Me: He probably just fell down because he's asleep.
Elise: No...he's not there!
Me: Are you sure?
Elise, slightly panicked: He's not there!
Mason: I don't see him.
Sammy: Mom, he's not in the car!

My stomach lurched. How could I forget my boy??? Elise asked if she should call our neighbor across the street, but I knew he wasn't home. I had her call our 80-something neighbor, praying that he was home. His wife answered the phone (I knew she would be home, but she couldn't really go over to help Lincoln), and thank heavens, Howard was home!

His training as a fire fighter saved me today--he was completely calm and asked if any doors were unlocked. No, but go to the sliding glass door by the dining room--Lincoln knew how to open that one. He immediately went over and I heard him knock on the door, then knock again. Oh please, please, Lincoln--please have stayed inside! Then Howard's comforting voice, "I see him. He is fine. Hey buddy, I've got your mom on the phone and she wants to talk to you. Can you unlock the door?"

And then I hear heart-wrenching sobs as I try to talk to him through my own tears. "It's okay, buddy. I'm on my way home. I'm so sorry! You go home with Howard and I'll be home as soon as I can. I love you." And Howard in the background, "Can you say hello to your mother?" And Lincoln's shaky, scared voice, "Hi, Mommy." Then Howard on the phone again, "He's just fine--a little shaken up, but totally fine. I'll take him home until you get back."

Everyone in the car (except Trevor, who was asleep, and Mason, who after noting that Lincoln was not in the car went back to reading his book) was crying and scared and blaming themselves for leaving without Lincoln. Elise, "I told him to go in and go to the bathroom--it's my fault!" Sammy, "I knew he wasn't in the car but forgot to say anything because we were listening to the tape story." And me, "I'm the mother, for goodness sake!!!"

We made good time on the way back to the house, and when we pulled in the garage, there was a smiling, chocolate-ly little boy waiting for us. Howard had taken him home, given him 2 popsicles, potato chips and juice. Thank goodness for good neighbors!!

Apparently when Lincoln came out of the bathroom and went to go get in the car and saw it was gone he cried, then went to rest on the couch, then went to rest on his bed, which is when Howard came and knocked. Boy, was he relieved to see him and not be alone any more!! It couldn't have been too bad, tho, because tonight he said that one of his favorite things today was going to Howard's house and having 2 ice creams.

I tell you what, we catered to his every whim this afternoon!