The Day I Lost My Daughter

 

In light of the recent gorilla uproar and public shaming that has ensued, I want to share my story.

7 years ago, I would have been the person in your news feed sharing articles that shamed the boy's mother.  Ones that said the gorilla was doing a better job protecting the child than she was.  Ones encouraging moms to put down their cell phones and parent their kids.  I was a sancti-mommy before I was even a mommy.

But last week, I lost my daughter.

We were in a convention center attending a high school graduation.  One moment my not-quite-two-year-old was standing by my mother, the next she was gone.  It was like a scene from a movie.

And do you want to know the very first thought that ran through my mind??

"Oh, my God.  I'm going to be on the news.  They'll tear me apart."

I was terrified.  All of a sudden my legs weighed 2000 pounds each.  Panic welled in my throat.  I took off in one direction and my mother took off in the other, each frantically looking and calling her name.

We found her in less than a minute, but let me tell you- that was the absolute longest minute of my life.  And, it was in that minute, that I realized how quickly life could change.

So please, stop the shaming.  The judging.  The mean comments and eye rolls.  They aren't helpful.  

Instead, reach out.  A kind word.  A kind look.  A smile, a nod.  Grace.  Understanding.  These are the things that make a difference in this world and they just so happen to be the things we need more of.