In Search of the Spanish Princess

November 21, 2010

Here's the scariest thing that happened to us while we were in Spain: we lost Camille. Seriously, we did. We were spending the day in Madrid with our Spanish friends. Admiring the beautiful buildings, the plethora of green spaces, the museums, and the very talented street performers.  We all crossed a busy street, stopped to admire one of those street performances and then we realized Camille was not with us. My heart stopped. I really think it did. We all burst into action. Calling her name, searching, calling louder. Adam and Nando ran back across the street we had all just crossed (did I mention it was a very busy street?) and there they found her sobbing in the arms of a very kind Spanish storekeeper. Relief, tears, disbelief, and more relief....she was back in my arms and stayed there for the rest of the day. I got lost when I was five...wandering around the campus where my dad taught. I still remember how scary that feeling was and now I know what it feels like as a mama. It's still a scary feeling. 

And here's the tie in to the title of this post: the above picture was taken the next day very close to where Camille had gotten lost. It's across the street from the Prado where the real paintings of the Spanish Princess Margarita are on display. In the days leading up to our trip, Camille couldn't stop talking about the Spanish princess thanks to this book (we love, love this series of books...more on that later). I am happy to say that we did indeed find the Spanish princess: the paintings and our very own sweet, Mei-Mei.
morninglight mama said...

Oh dear. I think every parent has a story of a time that they lost track of their child, and even if it's only a few minutes, it's heart-wrenching.

So, so happy that everyone met back up so quickly!!!

upatreecupatea said...

when we were in London when I was 8 years old I got off the red double decker bus before my family and had to chase the bus down the street until the bus driver finally stopped. my mom had a heart attack! And I cried the entire walk back to the hotel, imagining if the bus had actually left me and I was alone in the city.

so glad that you all found each other so fast!

I love love love the katie books as well, I've been using them in quite a few lessons :)

Emily said...

Terrifying, even after the fact--I'm so glad you found her, and quickly, and that everything worked out all right in the end.

likeschocolate said...

I know that feeling and it is scary. We lost our son once, but after the fire department came and searching for 30 so minutes we found him inside the neighbor unlocked house playing wiht the toys. Glad you found her.

Laurie said...

That is scary! I remember getting lost at not quite 4 - one of my MOST vivid childhood memories.

Heather Jacks said...

Glad you found her so quickly! We lost our 2 year old once in a crowd at the state fair! I was pregnant with our third child, and thought I would go into early labor. All worked at in the end. But the five minutes she was missing seemed the longest of my life. This is a great photograph.

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