Lost
I settle onto the flat boulder overlooking the valley. The verdant field and trees welcome the rare visitor, promising a breath of nature and a taste of old-world charm. A world that existed before technology ruled. The afternoon sun bathes it in warm light.
“Daddy, what are you looking at?”
Twisting around, I wave my boy over. He wiggles next to me, his legs stopping at my knees.
“This is the land our ancestors saw,” I say.
He tilts his head. “Can we go home now?”
I laugh. “In a little bit.” After I figure out where we are.
This piece was inspired by two things: 1. This week’s prompt over at Carrot Ranch (In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about old world charm), and 2. The fact that my husband and kids got lost in the woods this past weekend. I’ll let my Facebook post tell the tale.
On the plus side, they didn’t seem at all bothered. Maybe it’s because they knew the whole time that they weren’t dead. In any case, we have procedures in place to avoid a repeat performance.
Allison Maruska 
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Oh, Allison, I would not be okay! Your flash is evidence you survived your family not being dead but thought it possible. Your TED Talk is well heeded. I have a funny story to counter — by the time my third child achieved driverhood, I found I could fall asleep before he was due home. However, I woke up the next morning after he had taken a carload of friends to Scarywood west of the Twin Cities in Minnesota. We lived south of the Twin Cities and coming home he got on the freeway going north. He called home — three times. I never heard the phone ring! He left successively panicked messages, “Mom, I’m lost!” Upon hearing the messages next morning, I was relieved to see our SUV parked out front. He called a parent not his own to get turned around. Sheepishly, I’ll add to your story, tell someone who will stay awake!
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Wow! Those are scary messages to get. Your advice is a wise addition!
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Nice little story. Pretty anxiety-inducing facebook post. Lol. Glad everyone is okay.
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Thanks, on all counts. 🙂
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Ha, we use to do this all the time as kids. Head out in the morning, with instructions to be home for dinner. No cell phones and no one worried.
Glad everyone came home safe.
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I might not have worried so much if they were just in the neighborhood… 😏
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And it was late at night. I bet next time they will need to fill out a six page questionnaire. 🙂
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That is a *great* idea. 😆
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