What a sad week. Last Thursday an autistic boy went missing in central WI. The minute I heard that on the TV I was having a flashback to 1 year ago when Sofie was missing. One minute she was in her sand box and I was in the garage and the next she was gone. We have a barn and a field and tons of places she could escape to. I ran up and down the stairs of the house, all over the yard screaming her name. My mind went right to all the missing children’s parents I have seen on TV and the worst thoughts went through my head. My world was spinning. My throat was hoarse from screaming her name and then I called 911. My daughter is MISSING! They ask, what was she last wearing. Oh my GOD! I just changed her. I knew exactly what she was wearing. How can this be happening??? I am answering questions about my MISSING CHILD! All of a sudden the phone rang and it was the secretary at school across the street. When I heard her say, Mrs. Schraeder? I knew in my heart she had my baby. “Do you have my daughter? Is Sofie there?” YES! she was there. In a flash she had CROSSED the BUSY street, navigated through the cars in a huge parking lot and walked right up to the door of the school. There was a gentleman there picking up his Market Day order and he was asking questions. All she could say was her name, THANK GOD he took her to the office and a teacher recognized her from her school and the mystery was solved. I never shook so hard or cried so much.
When I got the school the police were waiting there. OH MY GOD, all I could think of is they are going to charge me with child neglect. They are going to take her away from me.What kind of mother lets her almost 4 yr old do this? When the secretary met me outside the school with Sofie I hugged her and scolded her and held her so tight! I was crying so hard and then I cried even harder when I realized she didn’t have a clue.
I can remember everything about that horrible moment. No need for a picture. It is forever engraved in my mind. My heart bleeds for the family the lost their little boy ever. My girl was only gone for a little while. Pray for them all.
