One Hour

Picture 52

One hour - that's how long my house was unoccupied when my mom took the kids to the pool. One hour - that's how long it took them to take the things we worked so long to get. One hour in broad daylight and now we have to start all over again.

Our house was broken into on Thursday and everything of value was stolen. Since I no longer have a computer of any kind and don't know when I will be able to afford a new one, I may not be blogging very much for the foreseeable future. I'm at a loss for more eloquent words, so I will sum up this whole situation by telling you, "This sucks."

 I have so many questions right now and no answers. Who did this? How did they manage to take so much without anyone seeing them? Why me? Did I bring this on myself by posting pictures of my house online or was this just some random act that doesn't have to make any sense?

I'm mad at myself for not doing the right things, for not taking the proper measures to protect the things I worked so hard to get. Jerry's computer and backup hard drive with all our pictures on it is especially difficult to take. My precious TV hurts pretty bad too. It was one of the few things I got in my separation.

It's not just the material things. I feel so violated. I had this false sense of security that has now been replaced by fear. I'm reminded every time I see the empty places where the TV's and computers used to be that someone came into our house and went through all our stuff. My kids are scared that the bad people are going to come back, and I tell them that everything is going to be alright, but is it? I thought everything was alright before this. It's hard to console them when I'm scared too.

I suppose all you believers of karma are thinking I'm finally getting my pay back for all the pain I caused last year. Maybe I am. Regardless, I have no choice but to accept what's happened and move on with my life. I'm feeling pretty down and dejected right now. I feel like a complete failure. The only thing that gets me through is my love for Jerry and the kids. I still have them, and I know that we will get through this in time. It seems cruel how life works. It only took an hour for everything to disappear, but it will take much longer than that to heal and rebuild. 

CONVERSATION

31 comments:

  1. I am so sorry. I can't imagine how horrible that would be. I hope they catch the worthless SOBs who did it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh man, that totally sucks Bonnie. I've enjoyed reading about you styling your new house so I can only imagine how much this hurts. Stealing a hard drive is just as bad as stealing family photos these days, that's just wrong.


    I'm sure it's little comfort to you right now but at least no one you love was hurt. People are irreplaceable. I hope that the police catch the burglars.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am just so sorry that this happened to you, Bonnie. I can't imagine the feelings of anger, violation and fear. The fact that it happened in the middle of the day is pretty scary, like it was someone that was watching your house or something. I think the police will find whoever did it and hopefully recover some of your stuff. My husband's car was stolen once and they somehow managed to find it.


    And only one hour? Sounds like more than one person was involved. Get the security system in place and I think you will feel better about that part at least.


    You didn't bring this on yourself. There are sick assholes in the world unfortunately. It is not your fault.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Bonnie, No one deserves this. I am in the real estate business and people dont realize how many people have access to your house & house key while your house is being marketed. It is always after closing something like this happens. Did you change the locks when you moved in? You should always do that because when a house is on the market keys are left at real estate offices and picked up by whomever, it would be very easy to make copies. The pictures are heartbreaking, but they can't take your memories. None of you were hurt. If they did it that quickly your house was probably being watched and they don't want to run into you anymore than you want to run into them. In this economy this is becoming far more prevelant. Change your locks, make sure your windows all have working locks, maybe invest in a security cam (you can get them pretty cheap). Keep your chin up - this was NOT your fault. Missy

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh, Bonnie, I'm so, so sorry. People are awful. I hope y'all get everything back in order soon.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Damn. That does suck. No one called the cops?! Sometimes bad things happen to good people. It's how we respond that makes all the difference.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Bonnie: I have been burglarized so I KNOW exactly how you feel. It's a horrible experience knowing the you were watched and someone has gone through your things. They even took my high school and college rings, sentimental gifts from past boyfriends, family, etc.. Not to knowing that those items would never be replaced. Knowing my home, my sanctuary, the safe oasis in the world had been violated for $$$$$$. Reading your entry bought it all back to me and that was 18 years ago. Seems like yesterday..... You have insurance and hopefully replacement cost, so things can be replaced. Feeling safe and your kids worries will take time. I slept with a pair of sharp scissors u Derry pillow for the longest time AFTER we moved.

    It will get better and pray that the thieves are caught. Life is sometimes cruel, but we must move on. My thoughts and prayers to you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I was thinking about this. It was probably someone who lives close by and saw you moving your stuff in. They might have been waiting for your house to be empty. Have you notice anyone driving by a lot? I would start checking out the local pawn shops to see if you notice your stuff there. Make some calls in the area and describe what was stolen.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am so sorry to hear what happened to you. Can you remove the old posts that have your house pic? it may be too late now but better than nothing.

    ReplyDelete
  10. i'm sure jerry's wife had a false sense of security too.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Bonnie, I am just heartsick for you, Jerry, and especially your kids. Everyone has a right to feel safe in their own home. Regardless that it was just stuff (and thank god for that), it was YOUR hard-earned stuff. This is not karma, this is a crime. I hope so much that someone saw something and that Kinston CSI can get to work and catch these jerks. Much love to you and yours. (Oh, and selfishly, I'll miss your blog very much in the meanwhile!)

    ReplyDelete
  12. idreamofanthropologieAugust 17, 2012 at 11:23 PM

    I'm so sorry, Bonnie. I don't believe in karma. Bad people are just that. Bad.
    It is so encouraging to see you clinging to the positives in your life, Jerry and the kids. Chin up.

    ReplyDelete
  13. i'm so sorry...no one deserves this.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Bonnie no one deserves this! Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. And I hope they catch those horrible people!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. So Sorry to hear this, I havent had this happen to me in my later years ( as a child I remember that feeling) to have strangers going through your personal space. It would be one of the worst possible feelings. Material things can be replaced, its that sense of security in which is the biggest loss. You might have to look into some security, do you have neighbours that may have seen something, or have you noticed any one or cars hanging around. Hope you catch these creeps...All the best Melinda

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wow. That must be devastating to experience. I always fear that what I will experience what happened to you.

    I obviously don't know your exact situation, but I would think it is a targeted break in, simply for the fact that they likely went into your home immediately after someone left it unoccupied. I wouldn't think your blog pics contributed to this.

    Is it worth putting a claim under your home insurance?
    Sorry this happened to you.

    ReplyDelete
  17. At least you or the kids weren't there, everyone is safe! Maybe get a security system installed?

    ReplyDelete
  18. Well I will be very sad if you stop posting. I love your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  19. OMG! I am so shocked, and feel so horrible for you Bonnie. =+(
    I cannot believe that happened. I wish you the very best as you work through this ordeal.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I'm so sorry Bonnie. That is terrible! I don't know what I would do! I hope you can recover or rebuild very soon :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Home owners insurance or renters insurance

    ReplyDelete
  22. Sorry to hear it, dear. It wasn't your fault. Don't beat yourself up.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Bonnie, i am really sorry. You dont deserve this and i hope they are going to catch the assholes that did this to you. I wish you all the best. I will be missing your blog in the meantime.

    ReplyDelete
  24. This wasn't karma Bonnie. Bad things happen. I'm really sorry for what you're going through. My car was broken into so I know the feeling of violation you're feeling. It's creepy to think these awful people were in your house! I truly believe that this has nothing to do with your blog. Someone was watching your house for awhile, and they knew your routine. They watched for when you all left. It's been happening quite frequently in a neighborhood close to mine as well. The police recently met with the community and explained that they believed thieves would watch the houses to see when people would come and go, so they knew when the coast was clear. I would definitely talk to all your neighbors and ask them if they've seen anything suspicious lately (ie. people sitting in their cars, or cars they haven't recognized, etc.). I also think you should go to pawn shops to see if any of your stuff shows up. This truly sucks Bonnie. But you will get through this. At least you and your family are safe and healthy because in the end, that's all that matters.

    ReplyDelete
  25. This is absolutely terrible news and my heart hurt for you reading about it. I'm sure you are feeling so violated. Please take precautions for security measures in the future because I am told that thieves often target the same house twice.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Didn't you post photo after photo of all the things you've bought? I would guess you haven't posted your outright address, but you live in a small town and you've posted photos of the outside of your house. Isn't that sort of an invitation to burglars?

    ReplyDelete
  27. I am so sorry this happened to you. It happened to me too, about a year ago. It was hard but it gets better. We got an alarm system installed and that helped too. Of course, after a few weeks, the insurance check came and we got new stuff... that that is really what it is, at the end of the day--- just stuff, and most of it can be replaced. the peace of mind is harder, and that takes time, but that will come back too.

    ReplyDelete
  28. good ideas, I would check the pawn shops

    ReplyDelete
  29. Oh Bonnie, I'm SO sorry to hear this. I had my classroom broken into once when I was teaching. It's a terrible feeling. Thank god no one WAS home! Imagine facing the intruders with your kids! Things can be replaced.

    Again, sorry and I'll keep you in my thoughts.

    ReplyDelete
  30. I am really sorry this happened to you. I think I know what you are going through because my house was broken into 4 years ago this month. I was in shock for days, and everyone looked suspicious to me. It didn't help that the cops who took fingerprints said that they (bad guys) would probably be back for the big screen TV!! So needless to say I was scared to be in my own home for months! Thank goodness they didn't come back. I felt so violated, knowing that strangers were in my house going through my things. I still don't know if the burglars were ever caught. It will eventually get better. Again, I am so sorry. Hang in there! And hopefully you will be blogging again soon..

    ReplyDelete
  31. I have been a long time lurker because I absolutely love the way you stay true to yourself and don.t let the haters change the way you think and feel. So don't late the thieves do it to you either. A. Green

    ReplyDelete

Back
to top