Late yesterday afternoon I pulled into my driveway, turned off the car and headed very quickly into my house.  I left my windows open and the car unlocked.  I was only going in for a few minutes; my bladder wouldn't wait another second!  I literally was in the house for 3 minutes.  Well, that's all it took for a small group of teenagers to steal my briefcase and a brand new bed ensemble given to us as a gift. 

Now in all reality, the bedding is worth about $300.00.  The briefcase is old and not worth more than $25.00.  I had gift cards in the briefcase that I had received as prizes for winning contests and raffles What is priceless is my daytimer.  I've had that daytimer since 1989 and it's my lifeline.  It has addresses and phone numbers of my friends and family in it.  It has religious pictures that I received as gifts from Priests and Nuns from our former Parish. What absolutely breaks my heart are the pictures of my children and John in the front.  Those are irreplaceable.  Those thugs stole my memories!

Last night instead of celebrating my 2 older daughters' birthday and taking calls here on Keen, I was on the phone with the Bank. My checking and savings accounts are now frozen along with the debit card and the only credit card I own.  I'll have to wait a week before I can access my money. 

Then I had to call the stores the gift cards were from.  Sears; JC Penney; Bed, Bath, & Beyond...all gone. I still need to call them all back today as I need to finish filing the claims.

I also had to notify the credit reporting companies.  My bills and other personal information were in the briefcase.  But I also look at it this way...if they want to steal my identity; let them have it; they can get the bill collector's calls just like I can!!!

Material things can always be replaced. I lived in Philadelphia, PA my whole life and was never robbed. I left my car unlocked, my briefcase has always been where it was for as long as I can remember; and no one there ever took a thing.  I have the attitude that if they want things bad enough, I'd rather have them just open the door and take whatever they wanted.  I just didn't want to get hurt or have the car damaged in anyway.

What I can't forgive them for is stealing my memories and pictures. They don't need or want pictures of my family. I'd be happy if they tossed my daytimer away, someone find it and mail it back to me.  Then I'd have room in my heart to forgive them.

Bottom line...I wasn't hurt. The car is undamaged. And the never took what's really important:  ME.  Those kids may have taken material possessions; sentimentality; but they can never take away who I am.  No one can ever take from you unless you let them.... and you never let them rob you of yourself.  For there lies a true tragedy.

Enjoy your day!!!  Cheryl