05/29/2012
We went to the lake to hang out with friends on Memorial Day 2012. Everyone was having a great time. The water was great, the sun was nice and the time with friends great too. At one point Elizabeth ran up to me and said she had sand in her mouth. So we stepped behind where I had been sitting to rinse her mouth out. Then I stepped back in front of the chair and looked for Ella. I could not find her. I walked up and down the beach and then had Elizabeth look too. At that point I told the other moms and they looked too. None of us could find her. I went to the bathrooms and looked and called her name. No answer. My stomach was sick. I could not find my baby and I was very scared. I went to the concession stand and asked who could help. She pointed me to the life guards. They got on the speaker right away and called everyone out of the lake and gave instructions on how to look for a missing child in the water. I told them Ella's name and age and what her suit looked like. I almost started bawling right then but didn't. Then I hear my friends yelling.. .she is here... Tracy has her. Thank you God. The lifeguard needed to see Ella so Tracy brought her up. Then they asked me and Ella to a room and I asked Tracy to watch Elizabeth. Ella was so scared. As she was walking up with Tracy the thought going through my head was be calm Joan, don't scare her more. After we talked to the life guard she said we would have to leave. I guess that is standard. They also had called the sheriff and called them back to let them know the all clear but they still came. We were packing up by then and we didn't have to talk to them or the firefighters that came too. Ella told me she couldn't find me and the only time I was away from my spot was when I was helping Elizabeth. I bet Ella walked the other way around the pond/lake and I went the opposite. She was coming from the total opposite side of the lake (it is a small man-made one at Lake Elmo Park reserve) with a young woman I guess. Ella said she was crying looking for me and scared she couldn't find me and this person came up to help her and they went together to another person and they must have walked her around the beach. I think she was already back to Tracy when the loud speaker call went out. It was only about 15 minutes all told but it was the worst 15 minutes ever. To get time to talk to Ella, I decided to let Elizabeth play at the playground for alittle bit. One other friend was there too. Ella and I sat in the shade and told each other how scared we were and how we hope it never happens again. Ella even saw me crying... I was so sad and still am, that my little girl was so scared. but, Ella had a great idea... she thinks parents and kids should have radio controls so we can always find each other. I agree sweet heart and I am so very sorry this happened. Thank you for being so smart to find someone to help you.
Before this happened we were having a great weekend. Normally I would have posted the pictures but I just don't feel right doing that and not posting about this event. I am going to keep this post in a draft form because this is private family stuff.
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