If you want to read that post, please go HERE.
Well, I have great news today because we haven't had another break-in since February! And (on the bright side) if we ever do, this person has prepared me because although I was very disoriented the first time this happened in the middle of the night, now I know this isn't just a nightmare. Evil people are out there. In some ways we have no control over what trials we'll face in life. Like when my son died, or when my dad had cancer. Getting the house broken into has been terrifying, but the best we can do--all of us--is be prepared and have faith that God has a plan.
Someone read book reviews from The Golden Sky the other day. You can see that here. Anyway, they sent me an email that said, "Those book reviews are great. You seem to have the perfect life."
Did they realize that's a memoir about the hardest time of my life? The only reason I've had any type of success is because I've taken the hardest things in my life and tried turning them into something good.
Zeke died, and now anyone who needs help dealing with loss and grief, they can read his story even though it almost killed me reading it for content over and over.
That experience showed me who I want to be. I don't want to let things get me down. Life is what you make it, really.
I thought about all of this today because it's close to the anniversary of the worst break-in we've had. People say writing about things helps, so I've decided to talk about this a little bit more today and share some pictures for the first time.
Like I wrote in a previous post, we've had to replace three doors from all of the damages done over the past several years.
Here are the pictures:
The cop said they took a crowbar to the door and literally pried the metal from the wood.
This is the door on the other side where the trim popped from the wall.
Before they could break into this house door, the cop/detective said they broke into the man door by shouldering it.
How do you handle hard times? Have you dealt with something like this?
Oh my goodness, this is really scary. But I sure like your attitude. And I'm very glad that you haven't had a problem for awhile.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to leave you with a quote from a paper my granddaughter wrote when she was 15. Except for Zeke, it seems to describe you, too:
ReplyDeleteHave you ever heard the phrase “Don’t take life too seriously”? Well, I know one person who takes this advice to heart. My grandmother Fran is a fun-loving person who always looks on the bright side. She tries not to worry and enjoy life. While being around her, it’s impossible to feel downcast or gloomy. If, perchance, you are, she’ll cheer you up by making you laugh. She says not to take life too seriously, and later when you look upon bad times, you will be able to laugh about them. Her favorite quote is “Don’t sweat the small stuff. — It’s all small stuff.” The message she wishes to leave behind is that people should enjoy life and not worry so much. When she is gone, this is what I will remember the most; I will remember her attitude on life and to face each day as a challenge to conquer.
Nothing like that, but damn those are some crazy door pics. Note to self: don't shoulder a door when in your vicinity. I like to remain bullethole-less.
ReplyDeleteI am lucky have never been broken into so far, I have caught people sneaking around outside my house in the early hours of the morning because I work a strange shift pattern and tend to come home at all hours of the night. They get told to leave in no uncertain terms. Looking at those pictures your doors look fairly sturdy, they must have made a hell of a racket trying to get in. You are right when you say there are evil people in the world but letting their actions affect you emotionally is like letting them win. Fuck 'em. (Pardon my language).
ReplyDeleteWe have some shady characters in our. Neighborhood. Fortunately we have two dogs, neither of whom is afraid to make their presence known.
ReplyDeleteEven then, our cars have been broken into. Far less was taken than if they had gotten into the house, but it still had me staying up late for a week, sitting in the living room with a katana.
Damn that really sucks, would surely be scary as it can take away your whole feelng of security, such people should be whacked upside the head with a log a time or ten.
ReplyDeleteWHAT?? "You seem to have the perfect life"??? THAT'S what they got from The Golden Sky? Did they really even read the book?
ReplyDelete*sigh*
Congrats on being burgle-free for a year. Labor day will be a year for Erik and I. Of course, we know who broke into our place, just couldn't ever prove it. Still keep the firearm ready though.
I've had a wide variety of hard times. When it is something sad (like divorce or death or life changing illness or accidents)--I allow myself to be good and sad for a while--by myself. I have close friends I can talk to, but I try not to take it out on anyone else. At the time something is actually happening--during the crisis--there's too much to do to wallow in any non-productive emotions. I deal with that later. I've found life is too filled with random crap to worry ahead of time about it. Why waste or ruin your good time, you know? And when crap happens--which it will--get on with your life as soon as possible and get back to enjoying as much as possible, because more crap will scatter in. That's just life. It's as much a part of life as storms are part of the weather. So appreciate the sunny days to the hilt! ;) That's my philosophy. :):)
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping the person was being sarcastic.
ReplyDeleteThat's not hard times that is insanity and it pisses me off every time we talk about it. If I had my way I'd find the turds and rip them a new one!
ReplyDeleteIt takes a strong person to take a negative and make it into a positive, I so admire you for this.
ReplyDeleteMy goodness, I would have been a terrified wreck after all those break-in's too! I've never had to deal with a break-in, but last year we would get random people ringing our doorbell incessantly in the middle of the night and just that used to freak me out to no end (despite that we have a small deadbolt on our bedroom door). I'm glad that the person has decided to leave you alone and I'll be praying that they never come back...or any other burglars for that matter!
ReplyDeleteWhen this happened to me, the worst part was the feeling of being violated. I lost all of the sentimental jewelry I had inheirited from my grandmother. Since she had died so many years ago, thoses theives had taken part of her from me as well. Somethings can not be replaced. Like you, I have always used my writing to help me through the hard times.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry all this happened you!! Hoping you have been able to turn it all over to the LORD and find you peace again. I will be blogging soon, well my posts are almost ready to begin. Hoping to become good online friends and praying for you!
ReplyDeleteWhat I loved about the book is your strength and perseverance and that you absolutely never gave up on Zeke!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you learned to be prepared against would be burglars.....I'd hate to be them when you're standing on the other side of the door with a gun! :) Maybe you should post a sign on the door that says "break in at your own risk....owner armed and prepared to shoot intruders!"
And just when I want to ship the dog off to Tibet, I read this and let him stay. He should be your biggest fan and doesn't even realize it. That's super scary though.
ReplyDeleteI have been fortunate that during the most difficult times of my life I have had the support and love of my husband (for more than 30 years), my family, and a collective core group of strong friends.
ReplyDeleteI hope you don't have any more break ins. They certainly are scary! I like that you have taken precautions and learned some things you can do to protect yourself and the kids. I always appreciate your positive attitude!
ReplyDelete~Jess
That is one heck of a door wreck you’ve got there. What is weird is that if they had a crowbar to begin with, why shoulder the main door first and just decide to use the crowbar on the house door? Weird. It’s great that there have been no other break-ins after that one.
ReplyDeleteMiguelina Koziol
Your house has been broken in several times? Oh, now that's enough to keep you paranoid at night! Perhaps the changing of locks and doors aren't enough to keep your house safe. Do you have any security alarm in your home? If not, I think you should absolutely consider installing one. It's been a year since this post, I hope nothing like this happened again after this one. Keep safe!
ReplyDeleteRachelle @ ULSSecurity.com
You should really keep tab on movements and actions around your house: not just within the premises, but in its environs, and not only when the deed occurs. Because these kind of elements depict where your property is really at now, to prying eyes as much as civilians, and what agenda seems to be moving in on it. It's how you'll get to track both latent and active culprits, and hopefully smoke 'em out in time. You can do this, of course, with CCTV cameras, and a day-to-day analysis.
ReplyDeleteLida @ #1 Security Services