I am sure that is how my parents felt when I disappeared and couldn't be found for several days. I was four years old when an older couple kidnapped me. I don't remember any thing about it. It's kind of nice that small children don't remember the things that happened to them, don't you agree? All I know is what my mother has told me which isn't much.

The older couple that took me never had children of their own and wanted one very badly. I guess I was an easy target for them. They did not abuse me or treat me unkindly according to my mother. They wanted a child to love and care for and dedcided it was me. I was very lucky. They could have hurt me very badly or even killed me as so many victims of kidnapping are.

When I was a small child of four my constant companion was a Toy Fox terrier. I called him Boy Dog. Usually where you would see me you would see him. He was the one who actually found me. My mother said that he kept disappearing. She would find him sitting in front of the older couples home. He would sit there and whine and would refuse to go home with her. She found that odd since she had been told by the couple many times that they hadn't seen me.

I was lucky. My parents were lucky. So many parents aren't so lucky when their child is kidnapped. They either don't find the missing child or the child is found dead, a victim of serious abuse. Although I realize how lucky I am, I can't help but wonder if my mother told me everything or not. It is difficult to handle sometimes because I want to be sure she told me everything. Not knowing if she is trying to protect me by hiding things from me always seems to be lurking in the back of my mind. It's hard for me to understand why I want to be sure I know the whole truth yet I don't.

You can't be too careful where your children are concerned. You should know where they are and who they are with at all times. You should teach them not to talk to or go off with strangers no matter what they tell them. Teach them to seek a police officer, teacher or the person responsible for watching over them at the time and tell them what has happened. Screen your babysitters very carefully. Be very protective. Teach your children how to make friends with other children. Know who your children's friends are and be sure you meet their parents. If you don't approve of a friend or their parents the world will not end for your child if you don't allow them to associate with that friend and their parents. The child is YOURS and YOU are responsible for the well being and safety of your child.