Little Girl Lost, Found

One day, about 20-plus years ago, my husband and I were shopping in the Wilmington Independence Mall. I told him I was going to Sears to use the ladies’ room. I started walking toward Sears. As I approached the entrance, I saw a little girl walking around in circles saying, “Mommy, Mommy.” I went through the doors, but a force that I believe was the Holy Spirit told me to go back, and I did. The little girl, who appeared to be about three years old, was still walking in circles calling her mommy.

I walked to her and asked if she lost her mommy. She looked up at me with her big beautiful brown eyes but did not answer. I extended my hand and she grabbed it. I saw two female employees in Sears. I explained the situation and told them I was going to walk the little girl around the store to see if we could find her mother.

After walking around and not finding her mother, I took her back to the young ladies and informed them that we did not find anyone who looked like her mother. I still had to use the ladies’ room so I attempted to leave her in their care, but the little girl grabbed my leg and would not let go. I had to take her to the restroom with me. When we returned, a security guard was waiting for me. I told the little girl to go with the nice man, but she grabbed my leg again and would not let go.

I then took her to the Sears office. An officer told me that someone had reported a missing child and was on the way to Sears. I had to wait with my little friend because every time I moved, she latched on to me. The officer told me that usually lost children will attach themselves to the first person who is nice to them.

I saw a panic-stricken woman with disheveled hair walking very fast. I bent down, pointed to the woman and asked the little girl, “Do you know that lady?” My little friend looked and her face lit up with a big smile as she dropped my hand and ran toward that lady. The lady simultaneously started running. When they met, it was like a scene from a movie. The mommy picked the little girl up and hugged her really tight. The officer and I looked at each other and smiled. No words were spoken. We were both satisfied that the frantic lady was the mommy.

Charlene Hall, Riegelwood, a member of Four County Electric