Lost in Idaho!
Prologue: Time is a funny teacher, as the years go by, our perspective changes. In the following story, I have now been the lost little boy filled with fear and anxiety. The father whose adrenaline-pumping fear that morphed into anger when they were found and safe. And now I am a grandfather who has come to understand that the gentle and compassionate care given has a greater impact on a child.
In the summer of 76, we went into the hills near Pocatello to cut wood with my grandparents the Hart’s. My older sister Paige was just 11 and I was just 9 years old. Paige for some reason decided that we should beat everyone back to the cars and chose to take a “shortcut” through the forest. Paige thought that I should enjoy the adventure with her having me come along with her. Paige remembered that I was excited to go with her until our parents stopped us and asked us where we were going and to come back and walk with them. Paige tried to reassure them that she knew where the cars were and that we would be fine. I became somewhat hesitate and questioned Paige’s decision. Paige told me to come on and let’s go. Paige wanted to beat everyone back and told me to hurry up, and I did. Paige was really confident that she knew where the parking lot was. After some time, hiking through the densely wooded area for nearly 10 minutes, we couldn’t hear the chain saw anymore, I was getting worried and wanting to go back. Paige kept saying we're almost there it’s just through these trees and over this little hill. Paige finally, began to worry figuring that we should have come to the parking lot by now.
After about 15 minutes we did find the road that led back to the city. We were relieved to have found the road but were surprised that the cars were not there. We both became very worried, not knowing which direction to go to find the parking lot.
About this time, we could faintly hear Dad calling out, then the others, hearing concern in their voices, especially our fathers. It took us some time to recognize the direction he was calling from; it didn’t take too long before we found them, just around a bend in the road.
We were very relieved, and then slightly afraid of the coming scolding that we figured was coming…. after ignoring our parent’s council to walk back with them.
Dad was upset (afraid) about all the what-ifs…. as he yelled at us and I most likely would have had a physical meeting with dad like Paige did if it wasn’t for Grammie stepping in.
Grammie moved us away from him and gave us a hug. We got into Papa's light blue Bronco, Papa and Dad in the front seats, and Grammie was in the back with us. Grandpa disagreed with how dad handled his frustration, panic, and fear of us being lost. Papa Hart expressed how there are better ways to handle the situation. We were both feeling the thick tension, as no one spoke for a while. Papa Hart must have seen the looks on faces in the rear-view mirror, wide eyes and all. Paige remembers how both of them, slumped their shoulders and breath go out and soften and the tension left the Bronco.
Papa had sin sins the black salt licorice breath fresheners that he passed back to Grammie for us, she expressed her love and concern for us. It was then we felt relieved that it was over. The incident never came up again, except by Paige and myself.
It was Grammie who showed true leadership when she stepped in putting herself between us and my father, putting us in the Bronco. She understood that listening and counseling with Christlike love. This compassionate act has led to lasting endearment and a fond memory of her leaving a legacy of compassion and love.
With this all being said, if it wasn't for my father’s concern and recognition that we were missing, as early as he did, we may have wandered so far away, that we may have never been found.
[What if] we delay in seeking out those who are lost…
Each of us have been lost a different times in our lives. It may have been in nature, maybe in a mall, or even spiritually.
