When Ryan was just 5, Dave and I took him for an evening stroll while visiting my brother in Lehi, Utah. We were in unfamiliar territory, having crossed over a busy street during twilight. As we were walking Ryan went ahead on his scooter. Before we knew it he had gone around a corner and we could no longer see him. When he did not come back we began to panic. Dave ran off in the direction Ryan took. After about 15 terrifying minutes Dave came back and informed me that Ryan had found his way back to my brother's house (I didn't have my cell phone on me). Wow, we were impressed with that kid's sense of direction.
After that we didn't worry too much about Ryan getting lost. Matthew is another story. If Matthew senses he is lost, he panics and starts making mistakes like wandering around instead of staying still until being found. So we keep a VERY close eye on Matthew. In this stage of the game Ryan acts older than Matthew much of the time so we consider Ryan the older brother. Biologically Ryan is younger by two and a half years, but mentally he is older. We often will charge Ryan with keeping an eye on Matthew when they are together. This day at Mukilteo Beach was no different. The boys were heading down the beach looking for jellyfish together. They were getting further and further away. As they turned around a peninsula I could no longer see them. Trusting that Ryan was keeping an eye on Matthew I calmly set out to bring them back to where I could see them. Next thing I know Ryan is running back ALONE excited about something. The first thing out of my mouth was, "where is your brother?". Ryan was bewildered. I sent Ryan quite a ways back to where the older kids were sitting and went searching for Matthew. After several minutes of no success I began asking if strangers had seen him warning them that he is an 11 year old autistic boy. I had several kind strangers looking with me. After a long while Jared comes back up the beach with Matthew. I nearly cried. Matthew apparently had no sense that he had been left entirely alone which was a good thing because he stayed put. He said, "I'm so sorry mom, I just got so distracted looking for jellyfish". Now how cute is that? I know what treasure I'm taking home from the beach today.
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| Found a large jellyfish |
When Ryan was just 5, Dave and I took him for an evening stroll while visiting my brother in Lehi, Utah. We were in unfamiliar territory, having crossed over a busy street during twilight. As we were walking Ryan went ahead on his scooter. Before we knew it he had gone around a corner and we could no longer see him. When he did not come back we began to panic. Dave ran off in the direction Ryan took. After about 15 terrifying minutes Dave came back and informed me that Ryan had found his way back to my brother's house (I didn't have my cell phone on me). Wow, we were impressed with that kid's sense of direction. 
After that we didn't worry too much about Ryan getting lost. Matthew is another story. If Matthew senses he is lost, he panics and starts making mistakes like wandering around instead of staying still until being found. So we keep a VERY close eye on Matthew. In this stage of the game Ryan acts older than Matthew much of the time so we consider Ryan the older brother. Biologically Ryan is younger by two and a half years, but mentally he is older. We often will charge Ryan with keeping an eye on Matthew when they are together. This day at Mukilteo Beach was no different. The boys were heading down the beach looking for jellyfish together. They were getting further and further away. As they turned around a peninsula I could no longer see them. Trusting that Ryan was keeping an eye on Matthew I calmly set out to bring them back to where I could see them. Next thing I know Ryan is running back ALONE excited about something. The first thing out of my mouth was, "where is your brother?". Ryan was bewildered. I sent Ryan quite a ways back to where the older kids were sitting and went searching for Matthew. After several minutes of no success I began asking if strangers had seen him warning them that he is an 11 year old autistic boy. I had several kind strangers looking with me. After a long while Jared comes back up the beach with Matthew. I nearly cried. Matthew apparently had no sense that he had been left entirely alone which was a good thing because he stayed put. He said, "I'm so sorry mom, I just got so distracted looking for jellyfish". Now how cute is that? I know what treasure I'm taking home from the beach today.
2 comments:
Sweet story.
Oh my goodness. I understand that heartwrenching feeling as a mother now when a child is missing. I am glad he was okay. Love you!
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