It's always so much fun when you can foresee years of future therapy before your very eyes. Twenty years from now, when Lily is battling claustrophobia and abandonment issues, at least we'll know the root. How wonderful.
Yesterday was our last day in Chicago, thank God. Jeff was working so Allison (our babysitter) and I had to get to the lobby with all of the kids/strollers/suitcases/carry-ons/dolls/bears/etc. We piled the unbelievable amount of crap onto a dolly. Allison tackled it while I carried Evan and pushed an overtired and fussy Ben in his stroller.
Lily walked ahead and pushed the elevator button for us. She hopped on as we maneuvered the uncooperative dolly. As we turned it to get it through the doors, they began to shut. These were not friendly, accommodating doors that react to an arm trying to stop them. They were pissed off and disgruntled; They ignored our prying hands and angrily snapped shut with Lily screaming inside.
We could hear her crying fading as the elevator began it's decent down 50 floors. We watched as the elevator stopped. 44...39...37...34...
Visions of Lily getting off at a random floor and wandering around terrified us. If she got off, how would we go about finding her? I booked it down to the lobby, in the hopes that she would arrive there. The alternative was just too overwhelming to consider. 8 long minutes later, she arrived. Red, tear stained, and hysterical, but all in one (physical) piece.
My poor little girl.
The fabulous day continued with pouring rain at the outdoor zoo, a hell-ish airport with the most lay-off deserving United workers ever, flight delays, an hour long taxi on the runway, the clear development
of pink eye, tonsillitis and coughs all around.
But, we're back. We slept in our own beds (for 3.5 hours, but who's counting,) got to see Penelope and have all the comforts of home. It's going to hit 105 today. We're off to the doctor's and have food shopping, unpacking and laundry to do. But that's ok. I'll take it.
There's no place like home. There's no place like home.
There's no place like home!
8 people who actually care:
Poor Lily, I was locked in a toilet cubicle at the smae age and was terrified, never really recovered to be honest (sorry, that's not making you feel better is it?). Poor you too, those eight minutes must have felt like an eternity. Lifts (elevators) are horrible things anyway!!
XXX
Sorry, terrible typing, I did mean 'same' when I typed 'smae'
:-s
Poor girl...as a parent it is one of the most terrifying things to occur. I think it's happened to many of us!
Fortunately for Lily, she will probably remember the trip most when she looks at the adorable strip of pictures you took at the zoo. She'll remember a mom who took the time to have fun in a photo booth and will forget the elevator ride. YOU, however, will never be the same. Are any of us?
Poor Lily! That's not something I have ever considered as a safety issue - that if they disappear in an elevator, how will you know where to find them? Will they know to stay on until you get to them?
It's sort of safety thing you don't talk to kids about when discussing fire and stranger safety.
I'm glad she was okay, even though a little shaken. :(
And - I love the pic! SO CUTE!
OMG, I shudder to think of that happening. Poor thing.
I just love your blog.. You are great story teller and come across so real.
I love it so much, I am adding you to my blog roll... Hope that's cool with you!
Holy crap, what a nightmare!!!
Last 'vacation' for a long while I bet.
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