Friday, October 24, 2014

In The Neighborhood & Eventful Afternoon

 Rafters in Menard's Parking Lot

Just posting a few pics I took while running errands in Rice Lake - and on the way home.  

And by the way, the other day we had quite an eventful afternoon. Some construction workers pulled up into our driveway and asked if we'd lost a toddler. Seems that there was a toddler walking along the highway just a quarter of a mile from our house. We hopped into our pickup and drove down the road. There was a little guy, all alone, wandering down the road, just above the trout stream. We called the sheriff, looked around to see if there was a car down in the creek or anyone else nearby. Then we took him back to our house. 

As you come out the west drive of the Walmart parking lot:
A friendly reminder from the farmer across the street

I think this dairy barn has been abandoned for a while.

He didn't talk, except for 'dog,' which he said when Jazzie came to the door, barking. I gave him some water and cut up a hot dog in small pieces for him to eat in case he was hungry. Kids always like hot dogs? I put a pool of ketchup on his plate and a few chips. We sat at the kitchen counter. Eventually the sheriff's deputy showed up (As Mr. Cranberry always says, 'When seconds count, the police are just minutes away!')  Actually, it wasn't much of a wait, and he was a very nice deputy. He asked us a bunch of questions, asked if the child could stay with us a  while (of course!) and then was going to go door to door down the highway and see if he could find who this child belonged to.


Crossing the Red Cedar River
Pilings from the old bridge

In the meantime, little boy X ate a few pieces of hot dog, but preferred the ketchup, eating it with a spoon. He kept an eye on Jazzie and Misty, who by now were both at his feet. He must have dogs at his house, because he wasn't afraid of them.

In a very short time, the deputy was back. He came into the house and asked the little boy if his name was '_'.  The little guy just had a pleasant look on his face the whole time. Not scared, not bothered. Enjoying the ketchup.  The deputy told us that he had found the frantic mom hunting for her little boy.

The reunion was very tearful for everyone. It was impossible not to empathize with that mom who melted into tears and sobs when she saw her little boy, only 23 months, who had simply wandered away from home while she was taking the groceries out of the car and putting them away.

It happened just that fast. He had walked a half mile on a main highway and was found just above a 3' deep creek.

The story had a happy reunion ending, but could have had such a different outcome.  We praise God for keeping that little guy safe.

And all the time, little guy X just kept that pleasant look on his face. It was so cute! He had no idea of the distress he had caused his mother.


I'm glad to see that Reptile and Tina
are still getting along.
***


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Although I usually forget to do it, there is a chance that this post will be linked to one or more of these great linky parties:  Amaze Me Monday and Inspiration Monday and Mosaic Monday and The Barn Collective and    Treasure Box Tuesday and Vintage Bliss Tuesday and KatheWithAnE and Rubbish Tuesday and Tuesdays at our Home and Tuesday with a Twist and  Knick of Time Tuesday (vintage)  and   Tweak it Tuesday and Vintage Inspiration Wednesday and Ivy and Elephants Wednesday and Adorned From Above  and Artsy Corner Thursday and  All Things With Purpose and Home & Garden Thursday and Good Fences on Thursdays and  Time Travel Thursday and Freedom Fridays and Vintage Inspiration Friday and Saturday's Critters

40 comments:

The Cranky said...

How frightening for the mother! I'm so glad it was good people like you who picked him up!

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

HI Judy Oh that could have been tragic if he has fallen in the water or on to the main road so it was wonderful you found the little guy and looked after time until his Mum cold be located. Great fences today.

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh my goodness my chest was tightening reading this imagining what that poor Mom was going through. I am so happy the construction worker came and you jumped into action. Hug B

September Violets said...

I'm so glad for such a happy reunion! Thank goodness for the construction worker's actions, and everything else falling into place. Nothing worse than losing a small child and that cold feeling of dread. Wendy x

Dicky Bird said...

You and your husband were his guardian angels that day. Thank the lord, you went and found him!

Lynne said...

The happy ending was the best part . . .
Thank you good Samaritans . . .

Arlene G said...

Thank you for being a Good Samaritan Judy!! How terrifying for that mama. Our little three year old grandson on the Autistic spectrum can get away in a flash if we are not vigilant. So glad you and Mr Cranberry took good care of him.

Susie said...

That is something that doesn't happen to you everyday...Thank goodness. I am glad you were there for that child and also,those workers and the police.
I know that mom had to have been scared out of her mind. Thank you Judy for helping her. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

Debbie said...

Oh praise God! How scary for that poor mom. You don't even want to think about what could have happened. Sure glad God was protecting him through the construction worker and you and your hubby. Enjoy your week-end!

Cheryl said...

Oh my goodness, Judy. That was not a run-of-the-mill afternoon!! Praise the Lord for His protection on the little boy! I was so glad to read that there was a happy ending to this story. I can imagine that the mom was frantic. I would have been. That toddler was blessed to have wondered off so near to you!

Pamela Gordon said...

Oh my! I'm so happy this story had a good outcome. That poor mother. I enjoyed the photos and Reptile and Tina are there forever. :) Have a great weekend.

Chatty Crone said...

Oh how I praise God for this great ending - that woman was so blessed wasn't she - that he fell into the right hands and didn't get hurt?

MadSnapper said...

what a blessing for him you picked him up and cared for him and for the mother. i am wondering why the construction people left him to wander while they came to you... he could have been run over while they were contacting you... glad they stopped though ... when my 50 year old son, at age 2 wandered off while i was hanging laundry on the clothes line, his baby brother in the carry seat on the porch. i nearly died of fright. i called my dad and mom and we all spread out looking in the woods that were close by and neighbor hood... Daddy found Davie with Joey, Daddy's dog, sitting on the bank of the pond together, with his arms around Joey's neck. thank God the dog was there . the thing is Daddy's dog lived a mile and a half away, we don't know how or why he was there

Linda Kay said...

Judy, what a wonderful story with a happy ending. Loved your pictures too. So happy the little guy was safe. My son wandered away when he was about that age. We found him in my neighbor's basement, where he had decided to use the bathroom! ;-)

NanaDiana said...

Well, you know I am all teary-eyed after reading that story, Judy. How terribly scary for everyone involved...except the little boy. Thank God you went and found him when you did and that he was attracted to that water as most kids are. xo Diana

Terri @ A Creative Princess said...

What a beautiful story, Judy. I'm so happy you and Kevin found the little guy and there for him.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

I can only imagine how frightened the mother was! Bless you for taking the boy and caring for him while awaiting his mother. I'm so glad this story had a happy ending!

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

That was an eventful afternoon! Glad it had a happy ending.
Great photos too!

Bethany Carson said...

Beautiful photos! That must have been dreadfully frightening for the poor mother; glad you took good care of him and the family was happily united!

21 Wits said...

I'm thinking this little one has been in this situation before, as comfortable as he was about it. I'm hoping she gets smarter and leaves him buckled in his car seat (hopefully she has one) while she takes her groceries out of the car! I watched a little toddler in a corn maze the other day, and it's amazing how fast they can wander off before daddy knew it! Being a mom and a grandma (daycare) I know first hand the do's and don'ts. He's so lucky, and you were the perfect go to until mom was found!

Eileen H said...

So pleased it was you who found and took care of the small boy.Poor Mum, what a scare for her!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

That's something you'll never forget! How wonderful to be able to keep that child safe while everyone gets back together. Wish I could give you a big hug...I'm sure you got a few! It's scary for everyone! Have a beautiful day my friend! Hugs, Diane

TexWisGirl said...

how very terribly this story could have turned out. SO glad it was a happy, healthy, safe outcome!

Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse said...

I did shed a few tears when reading the paragraph about the reunion. What a happy outcome!

Heide at ApronHistory said...

Lovely photos. But I was rather distracted by the story of your Eventful Afternoon. So glad it had a happy ending!

Life Happens said...

Oh my goodness!! I can't even imagine what that mother must have gone thru. I get frantic when my son tries to run away from me in the store (to go look at the toys)!! The Lord was sure looking out for that little boy!!

Amy Burzese said...

Oh me. Thank God for good people like you and the workers.

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

Oh I'm so glad that story had a happy ending! It's frightening how fast things can go wrong. I like your random photos....the soaps sound yummy!!

Lorrie said...

Oh that poor mother. I'm so glad God put the construction workers and you in that place to look after her little boy. Truly a happy ending.

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Thank heavens nothing happened to the little guy and you were kind to mind and feed him while the sheriff looked for his mother.
Such innocence at that age.

Judy S. said...

So glad you were that little one's Guardian Angel! Bless you.

Empty Nester said...

I know just how she felt! I had a similar thing happen with our oldest when she was 26 months old. She didn't get far but it was far enough for me to panic. She wasn't the least bit worried. She said, "I know where I was Mommy." Sheesh. Thankfully, we lived in the back of the in-laws' landscape nursery in that horrid house and she had just wandered up front for some sand.

Cynthia said...

Hello Judy, what a story my heart was in my throat. It goes to show that you CAN'T turn your head and leave a little one unattended for a minute. This could've turned out bad. Thank god you got in the car. Gorgeous pictures as always

Cindy

Donna said...

Bless you for taking care of him while the sheriff tracked down his worried momma. Gosh, he could have easily drowned in the creek or gotten injured on the highway. What a close call!

Denise said...

Very scary.

Ida said...

Oh wow that story was indeed scary but so glad the outcome was a good one. Bless you for taking that little boy in until his mom was found.
Enjoyed your photos very much here.

Michelle said...

Hi, Judy!

I am so glad everything worked out between the mother and child.
I was on pins and needles as I read your post.
Imagine how quickly things can happen.
I wonder if you live in a small town.
Around here the officer would have kept the boy til the parents were found. Or taken him to the police station.

I have added GFC to my blog if you would like to follow me.

Blessings!

Terri D said...

Oh my, what an experience, and thank God it was you who found him!! So many bad things could have happened.

cedarmerefarm said...

That little boy and his mom were lucky that you found him before he got hurt. What a scary incident for the mom.

Nancy said...

God Bless you for rescuing the little guy. I'm amazed the delivery guy didn't intervene instead of just asking you about the child.

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