The adventures of a boy and his lamb....

Oh Lamby, what a troublemaker you are!

On vacation to the bootheel of Missouri, my oldest suffered quite a trauma...and his lamb (Lamby) had quite the adventure!

Our Thanksgiving trip to the bootheel provided Rylan with every boy's dream. A transporation lover's jackpot!

Not only did Rylan get to visit two different firestations,

check out the flashing lights on nearly every fire truck

(both in service and retired) in town, but he got to see an ambulance,

two tanks, a helicopter, airplanes, countless tracters, a combine, cotton picking machinery,and a train!

Lamby was with him every step of the way.

But the real story hasn't even begun. Oh no. This story involved the police - and lots of them! Rylan got to take an hour drive south into Jonesboro, Arkansas to see "his Jo" (my cousin) at her house and see her police car. Lamby, as always, came along for the adventure. But when it came time to see inside the car, Lamby stayed behind inside the house to get a little rest. (Yes, a young boy's Lamby has a big job and big responsibilities, and surely deserves a rest from time to time - at least in this humble mom's opinion!)

Can you guess what happened next? It's every mom's worst nightmare - and yes, I suppose it was stressful for my son too. Lamby stayed in Jonesboro, Arkansas as we headed back north to Kennett. And her absence was not discovered until dinnertime! Upon this discovery, there was one very sad little boy, "...but Mama, I miss her SOOOO much. I need her!" If your heart doesn't break just a little when you hear this out of your child's mouth, you're either a hardened vet to the parenting thing...or you're just plain mean!

So, sprung forth any and all willing parties: Operation Rescue Lamby!!

Calls were made to neighbors and friends. Calls were made from the police department in Jonesboro. Calls were made from the police department in Kennett. Calls were made all around, spreading like wildfire across the stateline the news of the little boy who was without his Lamby. An ambulance driver heading home from Memphis heard of our sad little story. Crime and public safety...or helping a boy and his Lamb?

All hands worked together. The rendezvous point was set. A seargent covered the desk for his officer to make the drop. The handoff was made, and Lamby was on his way. Two hours and a pizza dinner later, Lamby was safe back in the arms of his sleeping boy who had cried himself to sleep without her.

All I can say is the the reunion of Rylan and his Lamby...was made possible by an entire community. To protect and to serve. And to a little boy (and his mom), they are heros.

Operation Lamby was a success!