Oh, the Irony!

A few minutes before the school bell rang for Aspen to come home on Thursday, I had finished writing the previous blog. I was wanting her to feel independent and walk home by herself, but I was equally as worried. So I walked up to the corner to look down the street and make sure she was on her way home and across the street safely. We literally only live a football field and a half away from school, but trust is a serious issue with Aspen, hence the reason why I went to the corner to sneak a peak of her coming home. I waited for 11 minutes after the bell rang and finally saw her in her orange shirt, crossing with the cross guard. I did not want her to see me spying on her, so I waited until she got across the street and then I made a b-line for the house. 5 minutes later, she never showed up! I started to get worried. The other girls were taking a nap, so I ran to the school, searched everywhere and did not find her. I ran home, called Mick, and he came to help search. All the neighbors were out, the whole ward, and I woke up the girls to go search. The school was now involved. This is when I began to panic. I went home and called the police about an hour into the search. I have never felt such despair in all my life. I prayed constantly, and felt peace for a minute, but I let that peace fade into panic when I knew she was no where to be found, and I could only think of bad outcomes.

Eventually she was located, through the lead of her friend Savannah's mom, with her friend Michael, at the bus transit center about a mile away from home. Mick and I thought she might have taken the bus, since we use it all the time. Apparently, she had walked home with Michael, (turned right, instead of left after she crossed the street and I split for home) played with his dog for a while and then Michael was going to walk her home. They got side tracked when the bus stopped by where they were and Aspen said Michael made her get on the bus. My child, with her first taste of freedom, went gallivanting around the city. Scary to think of how many dangerous people she rubbed shoulders with, busy streets she crossed, and how much she probably enjoyed herself! It was by far the longest half of an hour of my life between the time they told me she was found and when they brought her home. I wanted to kick her rear end, but I just gave her a hug and cried all my worries out. I think she thought I was crazy. The School police officer and Principal gave her and Michael the stranger danger run down and the importance of staying with parents. I hope, for the millionth time, that it finally sunk in. I couldn't possibly take anymore of this run away business.

I'm so grateful for all the searchers and emotional support of friends and ward members who cared enough to help. We had all of Comcast out looking for our run-away, and the police were helpful in trying to keep me focused and calm. I couldn't possibly thank them all enough. I'm so thankful Aspen knew to take bus #8 home, and that she was starting to make the right choice to come home. Trust. It is easy to have when it is honored. I hope Aspen can gain mine back soon. I really don't want to be walking her to and from school until she is 18! I've never felt so helpless and scared in all my life. I don't ever want to feel that way again. I will be picking her up at 2:30 p.m. sharp today!