Heartbroken

This past Thursday, the unthinkable happened. Short version - We lost Bree's Santa doll.

Long version (and perhaps my therapy at this point) - The kids and I were enjoying time with my grandma, and we decided to make a trip to Meijer Gardens. As the time slipped closer and closer to lunch time and we were yet to make it out the door, my grandma suggested we stop at McDonalds beforehand. A couple of "out of the ordinary" things happened while eating at McDonalds. First, Drew climbed on my lap, laid his head on my shoulder and fell asleep. And shortly thereafter, Bree declared she needed to go to the bathroom. I was a little flustered dealing with a sleeping Drew and not knowing how long Bree could hold it. I wanted to get her to the bathroom ASAP. My grandma took Drew, who immediately woke up and started crying. So, Bree and I made a successful trip to the ladies room and rushed back to tend to Drew. He resumed his position on my shoulder and dozed off again. I cleaned up the table, packed up some uneaten fries for the road and made a trip to the trash can to dump the tray, all while still carrying Drew. To the best of my memory, I believe Bree jumped up and followed me, scared of being left behind. Then, my grandma followed suit, even though I was planning to return to our seat. So, given everyone was standing at the door, and I had my purse in hand, we headed out. I  got Drew loaded and my grandma guided Bree to her car seat. I leaned over Drew's seat to secure her harness. We arrived at Meijer Gardens about 15 minutes later. I got Drew loaded into his stroller, then went to retrieve Bree. She asked for Santa when I unbuckled her. He was nowhere in sight. I thought he had made the trip, but was not 100 percent sure. I figured since we were already at Meijer Gardens, we should complete our visit and then circle back to McDonalds and hit up their lost and found, in case he indeed was left behind. So we did as planned. When I returned to McDonalds a few hours later and there was no sign of Santa and was told no one had turned him in, panic started to set in. I  combed the house immediately upon our return to no avail. I returned to McDonalds to inquire again and search the parking lot more thoroughly.
I returned home, dismayed and wondering how Bree would handle it. Drew asked, "What did McDonalds said?" I broke the news that Santa was lost. I think Drew sensed the sadness. He sweetly asked if he could give sissy his Santa. So Bree, who in the past has wanted nothing to do with "red Santa", finally accepted him into her life this evening.
Once Jim returned from his trip, he repeated my steps in contacting McDonalds and calling Meijer Gardens, in case he fell out of the car into the parking lot. I also drove through their parking lot on Saturday, as a last ditch effort.
It sounds like a lot of drama to expend over a stuffed animal. But Santa was way more than that. From the moment she received him from our friends the Giacomellis in Christmas of 2009, Bree adopted Santa as her constant companion, best friend, and security blanket. Whenever sick, tired, or hurt she clings to Santa, lovingly stroking his head for comfort.

March 2010 - Bree and Santa - the early days. Look how clean he is!

April of 2010 - Santa enjoys coming along for a ride on the swings....

And  Santa on the move with Bree....


May of 2010 - Always in hand....

June 2010 - He attended food taste testing sessions with us.

August 2010 - Testing the waters with Santa.

October 2010 - He gets in on the group hugs!

November 2010 - And celebrations!

Inside or out - he is there.

Dec 2010 - Along for rocket rides....

Jan 2011 - At P&M daycare....

Feb 2011 - Wheelbarrow rides....

Impromptu naps....

March 2011 - Comforting Bree during toe nail "surgery".

April 2011 - Nights away from home....

May 2011 - Snacks!

June 2011 - Enjoying the beach sand....

August 2011 - Looking spiffy in his tuxedo at Uncle and Auntie's wedding....

Sept 2011 - Santa was even a Cubs fan! He accompanied us on the kiddos' first trip to Chicago.

Oct 2011 - Horsey rides....

Nov 2011 - Through the tunnel, over and over again....

Dec 2011 - And, of course, a bedtime companion....

Hindsight is 20/20. And, of course, I am thinking of all the things I should have done. Yes, I could have immediately gone back to look for him. But, I was not 100 percent sure of the fact that she brought him along at all that day. Yes, I should have at least called McDonalds when I discovered he might be missing. But, I really never imagined he would not make it to a lost and found box and be waiting for us a few hours later.  Live and learn, I guess.

Poor Bree. She had a talk with red Santa and asked him, "Where is your friend?" Then, when we returned from P&M daycare, she asked if we could draw a picture of him. Other than that, she seems okay. Much more so than Jim and I!

The kicker is this kind of doll is no longer in the stores. It was part of a collection that our friends purchased ten or more years ago. I searched high and low on the internet. There are a few other dolls from the collection available on ebay and Amazon, but not green Santa. Not that he could be replaced. Our guy had gone through neck surgery, losing his guitar, and had surely seen the wear of all his travels. So for now, we are heartbroken. This too, shall pass.... I hope.