Code Yellow

I was a star player in a Code Yellow yesterday at Kohl's.  What is a Code Yellow you ask?  Well let me tell you.

It is when a rambunctious little 3 year old feels the need to run away from his mommy and disappear into thin air

It is when a mommy grabs her 5 year old holding on to her for dear life and runs frantically through the store yelling said little guy's name

It is when strangers look at mommy like she is 1) a crazy woman or 2) the worst mom on the planet

It is when those strangers are correct

It is when mommy tries (not very successfully) to hold her tears over the fact that a horrible stranger has most likely snatched little guy and walked him right out the door trying in order to reassure sweet scared sister that her brother will be found any moment

It is when mommy has every Kohl's employee looking for the little guy and gives death looks to any employee who isn't searching under beds or in the clothing racks because mommy knows that all employees heard the Code Yellow! announcement over the loud speaker and cannot fathom why they are not about to pass out from panic like she is

It is the complete stopping of time

It is by far the scariest thing that has ever happened to this mommy

It is the absolute release of tears after, what seems like 4 hours, the loud speaker announces that little guy has been found and is at the front

It is the tightest hug you have ever given your terrified child and the ability to squelch the monster lecture you want to give him about the danger of what just happened

It is letting your children know how special they are and that you love them more than anything in the world

It is something I hope you never experience