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Whatever you do, DON’T put down the camera bag!!!

July 13, 2009 by Janice

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

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I am on the trip of a lifetime…

and I don’t have my camera!

Somewhere in the mad dash when we were catching our connection in Minniapolis, I lost track of my camera bag. I still can’t figure out how it happened. I think the last time I had it it was on my back as I carried Olivia, a diaper bag, Jackson’s backpack, and my purse off the plane.

Then, when I went to change Olivia’s diaper, I loaded up her stroller with stuff, left it with Susan and I never saw my camera bag again. Perhaps I Ieft it sitting next to the stroller and my husband didn’t see it when he grabbed the stroller to take everything on board. I can’t remember what was going on at that second except that I was chasing after Olivia who had escaped again from my grasp and was running down the jetway.

All I know is that when we got on the plane, we had all the kids and we thought we had all the bags. When we went to deplane in Orlando, I asked my hubby where my camera bag was and he had no idea. He thought I had had it.

Yes — panic. I thought I was going to throw up as I frantically searched my memory for when I had last touched my camera bag. When had I had it last? When and why did I put it down? How could I not have checked when we got on the plane. And HOW was I going to endure the agony of losing $3000 worth of camera gear AND be without my camera for the trip I had so looked forward to capturing on camera!

If you know me, you know that I am all about reliving moments through the expression on my kids faces. Capturing them experiencing life is my passion — and what I want to share with you!

Even if I had time to run out and buy a new DSLR before we set sail on our Disney Cruise the next day, I can’t afford it. And besides, I had hopes that someone had found and turned it in and I would be reunited with my beloved camera, (and the photos I had taken of my kids at camp that I hadn’t yet downloaded.)

But it seems that whoever picked up my bag didn’t have good intentions. Even though it was marked and it had my business cards inside (I even had my travel insurance in it!) no one has called. I have made all the reports I can make. Nothing. It is gone…

To know that the person who has it has my video camera and a camera card full of my kids, and even has my journal with posts, notes and to do lists in it and yet they still didn’t feel led to return it to me is so hurtful. I can’t even imagine how a person could do that! That is like looking into someone’s window, watching them play with their kids and then smashing in and stealing their most beloved treasures.

I am trying so hard to let it go and not let it ruin my trip. But honestly it is so hard. Every moment I want my familiar DSLR in my hands, I want to snap the moment and hold on to it forever.

But, as painful as the loss is, I am grateful that it was only my camera. I still have my kids. They are safe. I can hold them and kiss them — and you know I am not letting them out of my site!

I am glad we are on this ship right now. I feel safe on board here with them — no crowded airports for awhile. I can catch my breath and try to regroup. And when I go back to the airport, I am going to be keeping my hands on my kids and my bags at all moments!

Written by 5 Minutes for Mom Co-Founder, Janice Croze

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About Janice

Janice is co-founder of 5 Minutes For Mom. She's been working online since 2003 and is thankful her days are full of social media, writing and photography.

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39 Comments

  1. Krista says

    July 26, 2009 at 1:00 am

    I’m soooo sorry you lost your cameras. I know that sickening feeling. I left my camera in a taxi my first night (of 4 months) in Costa Rica. It was so important that I didn’t pack it in my carry-on and that cost me. I didn’t even realize it until 3 days later, but I didn’t have any option for a backup. I paid $100 for a secondhand point and shoot (mine had been a really nice old SLR) that I discovered after my trip and I got all the film developed didn’t focus properly. So much for my study abroad…

    I also recently left my son’s Mickey ears in the bathroom at the airport… behind security. After bawling at the exit one of the TSA people was nice enough to go check and she found them for me. I will forever be nice to the TSA agents! Even though this has was quickly replaceable since my friends were still at Disney for another 2 days, I was distraught.

    Makes for some second thinking… tie your important things to you somehow when you’re traveling! 😉

    Reply
  2. BigSparky says

    July 16, 2009 at 5:39 pm

    I am sooo sorry you lost your camera…I would send you mine but another ran off with it…Arrrhgggghhh Well I hope you find one cheap one maybe a phone camera or anything…Just get those pics…Best of luck…sparky…

    Reply
  3. Jessica says

    July 16, 2009 at 12:54 pm

    (((hugs))) I am SO sorry that you lost the camera!! That would hurt my feelings too thinking about the cruelty of someone not returning it. I do hope you are enjoying your family vacation in spite of the fact!

    Reply
  4. Believer says

    July 15, 2009 at 2:07 pm

    I believe it’s never too late for a miracle, but whatever the outcome know that “all is well” with or without your camera. 😉

    Reply
  5. Lisa says

    July 15, 2009 at 12:30 pm

    I’m so sorry Janice! I hope it gets returned to you 🙁

    Reply
  6. Lindsey says

    July 15, 2009 at 10:45 am

    I’m soooo sorry! I would be devastated as well, and my camera isn’t even worth that. I hope you find it!

    I guess that’s a lesson to all of us to keep a good eye on our valuables. Thank you for sharing, and I really really hope you get your stuff back. Let’s pray God works on the heart of whoever has that camera!

    Reply
  7. Grace says

    July 15, 2009 at 1:01 am

    I am so sorry to hear about this! I first found out that you lost your precious bag when you tweeted it but somehow hoped and prayed that it would turn out. Some people are really those of the “finders keepers” type. So awful.

    What I do with my camera bag is put it across my body, messenger bag type. No matter what I do (even when going to the toilet) I don’t remove it because I know I could forget it, especially with a kid in tow.

    <>

    Reply
  8. Adventures In Babywearing says

    July 15, 2009 at 12:35 am

    This makes me so sad! I hope that it is returned to you!

    Steph

    Reply
  9. Barbara H. says

    July 15, 2009 at 12:31 am

    Janice, did you call the airport? My son left his camera once at the security area on a mission trip with his youth group and by the time he realized it, there was no time to go back before his plane boarded. We called the airport and asked them to check lost and found. They did not find the camera, but they found the case, and they reimbursed us the value of it (we had to provide a copy of the receipt), the logic being that right there at security it should have been turned in to lost and found. It may be that someone found it and turned it in. That won’t help you on the trip, but at least you wouldn’t have to buy a new one. But I’d call asap — I don’t know how long they hold lost and found items.

    Reply
  10. CrAzY Working Mom says

    July 14, 2009 at 11:35 pm

    Is there a chance that you might’ve left it at home? Maybe there’s still hope that it’s sitting by the front door and just got accidentally left! I’m hoping…

    Reply
  11. melanie says

    July 14, 2009 at 9:38 pm

    OH NO!! I hope someone returns it. HUgs!! I feel awful for you!

    Reply
  12. melissa stover says

    July 14, 2009 at 4:31 pm

    that’s awful. i can imagine how you feel. i know how i would feel if i lost mine. i still hope someone turns it in for you.

    Reply
  13. Stephanie says

    July 14, 2009 at 3:21 pm

    Janice! I am so sorry! That is just horrible. I certainly hope that the “someone” who took it experiences a very guilty conscience and decides to call.

    And I hope one of the big camera brands reads this post and offers you a brand new camera to review! You certainly would make a fantastic spokesperson for any photography brand. 🙂

    Reply
  14. Heather says

    July 14, 2009 at 2:37 pm

    Oh that stinks. I have felt actually sick to my stomach when I’ve lost things like that. Maybe it will still turn up.

    Reply
  15. Nanette says

    July 14, 2009 at 2:09 pm

    Oh I am so sorry that happened to you. Have a wonderful time on your trip. Hopefully your camera will show up eventually but if not at least all it was, was something that is replaceable even if it’s going to take some time to get another one.

    Enjoy your trip and memories you and your kids will always have.

    Reply
  16. Sarah says

    July 14, 2009 at 12:59 pm

    Janice,

    I’m so sorry that happened. I’ll keep hoping for you that it turns up – and although pictures are wonderful, the memories your kids have of this amazing time with you will be even more important!

    Have a wonderful time!

    Reply
  17. Storm says

    July 14, 2009 at 12:08 pm

    I am sorry you are experiencing the loss of your camera. As hard as that is (I too am a shutterbug), you and your family are safe and that is more important.

    Its not the same but you can purchase an inexpensive camera fo the trip or buy some disposable cameras.

    Reply
  18. Angela at mommy bytes says

    July 14, 2009 at 10:57 am

    That would be my worst nightmare too! Contact the airline as well as they may have picked it up.

    Reply
  19. Alaina says

    July 14, 2009 at 10:54 am

    The EXACT same thing happened two years ago to us. We were at a family theme park and lost it the exact same way. I stuck it in the stroller (?), headed to the bathroom and left the stroller with my husband. Five minutes later – gone!

    I hope your ending is better than ours and someone turns it in!

    Reply
  20. hotpantsâ„¢ says

    July 14, 2009 at 10:19 am

    I can’t imagine. I would be lost without mine. *hugs*

    Reply
  21. RefreshMom says

    July 14, 2009 at 2:56 am

    I am so sorry it hasn’t turned up! I can only imagine how you feel! A similar thing happened years ago on my grandfather’s last trip to his home in England. Someone took his camera bag and carry on that had the few gifts he’d purchased for everyone. Sometimes it still bothers me not to have that tangible memento of his homeland and his thoughts toward us on the trip.

    I hope that somehow you’ll be surprised and it will turn up, even if belatedly. I hope you have a fabulous trip in spite of it all.

    Oh, and when you get a replacement (maybe you’ll get one to try out soon?), get one of these camera bags. It will hold your laptop, camera, lenses and other stuff. Even with all the other kid paraphernalia, at least with that on my back, I know where it is, the camera is easy to get to and hard to forget (or take).

    I do hope it turns up even though it seems hopeless.

    Reply
  22. Laurie says

    July 14, 2009 at 2:45 am

    Gah. Janice, I am so sorry. I hope that someone will still turn it in or it will be waiting for you when you return from the trip.

    Reply
  23. Michelle says

    July 14, 2009 at 2:15 am

    Great job focusing on what it really important – that you still have your children! Those memories can be kept alive in other ways ~ get creative and have your kids draw pictures of what you have lost in the photos.

    Great job looking on the bright side {even though it hurts}. I pray it is returned ~ just make sure to let it go – then it won’t matter if it doesn’t but you will be extremely blessed if it does. 🙂

    Reply
  24. Naomi says

    July 14, 2009 at 1:59 am

    That is so horrible, I am so sorry! We had our digital camera (just a point and shoot) stolen from our stroller at the zoo and it was so disturbing to think that someone could take your memories like that… it will come back to them in the end.

    Reply
  25. RC says

    July 13, 2009 at 11:19 pm

    That’s too bad…hope it’s in the lost and found!

    Reply
  26. Lolli says

    July 13, 2009 at 11:15 pm

    NO!!! I would feel just as devastated as you. I agree with the disposable camera option. I have been without a camera before and really regretted not having some concrete memory of the trip. I live for my pictures of events (my kids sometimes tease me that the pictures are more important than the event to me.) LOL

    Enjoy your cruise anyway!

    Reply
  27. Trish says

    July 13, 2009 at 10:59 pm

    I did this last year for our first ever trip to the Gulf side of Florida, with a stop in Disney. I kicked myself every time I saw a great picture. (I came home pretty sore:).

    Reply
  28. tracey says

    July 13, 2009 at 10:45 pm

    Oh no! I’m so sorry. That is devastating! I hope you grabbed a disposable one, just for the trip. It still might turn up. Be sure to check at every airport, just to make sure. Hope you have a fabulous time, anyway.

    Reply
  29. Tarasview says

    July 13, 2009 at 10:43 pm

    oh Janice, I am SOOOOO sorry!!!!

    That truly sucks.

    I would be devastated too. Go grab one of those disposable cameras and take a few pictures for memories sake.

    Maybe the thief will feel guilty and return it soon. Praying.

    Reply
  30. thatgirlblogs says

    July 13, 2009 at 10:42 pm

    I really hope it was just turned in at the airport and they (the airport) have shipped it to your house, like lost luggage. My camera was lost for just a day and I was sooo upset. Finally turned up. I know how you feel ;(

    Reply
  31. Stacey says

    July 13, 2009 at 10:00 pm

    Praying that whoever has your bag does indeed do the right thing and still contacts you!

    Reply
  32. MommyNamedApril says

    July 13, 2009 at 8:13 pm

    aw, i would be devastated!!! keep an eye on this site… hopefully someone will at least return your picture files

    http://ifoundyourcamera.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  33. Melissa says

    July 13, 2009 at 7:58 pm

    Don’t worry it’s going to be okay. There is a good chance that no one has found it as of yet. Praying that someone does and that it get’s back into the rightful hands. . .yours. : )

    Reply
  34. Paper Bridges says

    July 13, 2009 at 7:54 pm

    aw, man, that stinks! maybe the person who kept it needed to sell it for money because he or she is desperate to feed their kids.

    sorry! that’s all I got to help you feel better.

    monica

    Reply
  35. Carrie says

    July 13, 2009 at 7:34 pm

    I’m so sorry to hear about your lost camera- I hope it still turns up!

    Reply
  36. Darla says

    July 13, 2009 at 7:09 pm

    I am sooo sorry about the camera! Don’t give up hope yet, we will pray that it gets returned!

    Reply
  37. CEOmum says

    July 13, 2009 at 6:25 pm

    AWw that is horrible.

    Don’t give up, there might still be hope. Did you have travel insurance? What of lost and found. Did you try to make any contact at all.

    I found this http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/customer/editorial_1693.shtm which is the TSA airport lost and found contact nos. Make contact and keep at it. It might just turn up.

    Reply
  38. AmyG says

    July 13, 2009 at 5:51 pm

    Oh Janice! I’m so sorry you lost your camera! I’m praying that whoever took it will feel guilty & return it.

    I hope you still enjoy your trip!

    Reply

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