The Ultimate Price: A Heartbreaking Experience of Forgetting a Child in the Car

I'll never forget the day I made the mistake that would change my life forever. It was a typical morning, and I had just dropped off my son Jared first and then headed to pick up my other child, Bryce, from daycare. However, as I drove home, I received an unexpected phone call, and my whole world came crashing down around me.

As I immediately went into work mode, I got distracted by the conversation and lost track of time. In a moment of complacency, I drove right past where I would normally drop off Bryce, which was out of my routine for that week. Before I knew it, I had passed the spot where I usually leave him off, and my mind began to flash back to the morning's events.

That's when I realized my horrifying mistake: I had forgotten to drop off my own son in the car. The thought sent me into a panic, and I felt like I was going to be sick. My mind raced with thoughts of how this could have happened to me, a good parent, a loving parent, a caring person who always put others before myself. How could I have forgotten my own child?

As I stopped the car and ran back to check on Bryce, my heart sank even further. I couldn't believe that I could forget something so important, something that should be etched into my memory forever. The thought of telling my husband about this mistake was unbearable, and for a moment, I considered just keeping it to myself.

But the reality of the situation soon set in. We had all been relying on each other to take care of our children, and no one had actually brought Sarah inside from the house that morning. As a result, she had stayed in the van for three hours, exposed to the elements and left to fend for herself. The thought of her struggling to survive for so long was almost too much to bear.

As we finally realized what had happened, we rushed out to the van, found Sarah clinging to life, and quickly called 911. We were trying to cool her down and comfort her as she lay in distress. It was a terrifying experience that would change our lives forever.

In the aftermath of this tragic event, I couldn't help but wonder how many others have made similar mistakes. How many parents have left their children in the car without realizing it? How many grandparents or caregivers have forgotten about their charges due to distraction or complacency? The answer is likely no one – and yet, we all thought that someone else had done it.

That's when I realized that this tragedy could happen to anyone. It was a harsh reminder of our own mortality and the importance of being vigilant and present in our daily lives. We need reminders, alarms, and bells that tell us we're low on gas or that we've forgotten something crucial like our child's safety.

As for me, I made a vow to myself to never forget again. I would put a doll or toy in the front seat as a reminder that my child was still with me, even when I wasn't actively caring for them. I would buckle up and check on Bryce regularly, so he wouldn't be left behind like a forgotten soul.

But most importantly, I learned to appreciate the fragility of life and the importance of being present in every moment. Even though this experience was devastating, it taught me a valuable lesson: that sometimes, all it takes is a second glance or a reminder to save a child's life.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enI made the mistake the ultimate price I was dropping him off first and then the baby which was out of my routine for that week so I dropped Jared off and then I got a phone call so I immediately went into work mode in the midst of all of that drove right past where I would Norm going make a left to drop him off so about4 to 4 10 to 4 she called me back and she wanted to know how Bryce was and I said what do you mean how Bryce is and she goes well I just wanted to call and see how he's doing I was like what do you mean he's there with you and she says no and she's beginning to pan she goes no Lynn you didn't drop them off this morning and right then and there my whole morning flashes before my eyes and I'm like I'm sure I dropped him off I stopped what I was doing and I ran to the car and that's when I found him I couldn't believe that I could forget my own son and how that was possible and the next thing I thought was how am I going to tell my husband that I killed the son it's something that can happen to anyone good parents loving parents loving grandparents loving caretakers it can happen each one of us thought the other had brought Sarah inside from the house and but neither one of us had and as a result she stayed in the van for 3 hours when we realized what had happened we rushed out to the van and we found her there clinging to life and we we rushed her inside and we called 911 and we were trying to cool her down and things like that but life changed I mean we have bells that remind us that we were low on gas that we didn't Buckle our seat belt why not one to remind us that we've left our child in the car for now leave something you need like yourself cell phone or your purse in the back seat with your child or put a doll or something in the front seat as a reminder that they're there I believe that it happens to most people because of a change in routine it can happen to anybodyI made the mistake the ultimate price I was dropping him off first and then the baby which was out of my routine for that week so I dropped Jared off and then I got a phone call so I immediately went into work mode in the midst of all of that drove right past where I would Norm going make a left to drop him off so about4 to 4 10 to 4 she called me back and she wanted to know how Bryce was and I said what do you mean how Bryce is and she goes well I just wanted to call and see how he's doing I was like what do you mean he's there with you and she says no and she's beginning to pan she goes no Lynn you didn't drop them off this morning and right then and there my whole morning flashes before my eyes and I'm like I'm sure I dropped him off I stopped what I was doing and I ran to the car and that's when I found him I couldn't believe that I could forget my own son and how that was possible and the next thing I thought was how am I going to tell my husband that I killed the son it's something that can happen to anyone good parents loving parents loving grandparents loving caretakers it can happen each one of us thought the other had brought Sarah inside from the house and but neither one of us had and as a result she stayed in the van for 3 hours when we realized what had happened we rushed out to the van and we found her there clinging to life and we we rushed her inside and we called 911 and we were trying to cool her down and things like that but life changed I mean we have bells that remind us that we were low on gas that we didn't Buckle our seat belt why not one to remind us that we've left our child in the car for now leave something you need like yourself cell phone or your purse in the back seat with your child or put a doll or something in the front seat as a reminder that they're there I believe that it happens to most people because of a change in routine it can happen to anybody\n"