First Things First

I'm back! After months away, I feel like the new girl on the blog. Remember the anxiety after a long school holiday, that knot in the tummy before starting a new grade? I have it again; how quickly our confidence wanes.

These past few months have been exhilarating and gorgeous. Yet I have experienced a great deal of anxiety, stress, disappointment, and anger, which have changed how I go about my daily routines and my sense of security.  

I'm a Cancerian, and we feel disappointment like a stab in the back, excruciatingly painful, as if it could penetrate our hearts with a twist. Never did I think this could happen to us; we're just not prepared for it, nor do we look for it, nor do we give anyone a reason to plan and execute a malicious robbery. We don't deserve it; in fact, we don't even have anything anyone would want. Well, that's what we thought! This reflection invites my audience to consider the societal issues that enable such crimes and fosters a sense of shared responsibility and awareness.

While I was anxiously waiting to board my flight to Canada, someone took a crowbar to our electromagnetic security gate, wrenched it open, broke the glass in the front door, and stepped into our home. Every cupboard, drawer, shelf, and trinket box was ransacked. Dirty fingers went through my books, my things, and my underwear. Some things are replaceable, of course, but what about my Granny’s wedding ring? Who on earth can replace that? I still open a silver box on my dressing table and wonder why they didn’t just take the lot; thanks for leaving me 3 single earrings!

Wear my Prada sunglasses, and I’ll know who you are! I bought them in Paris, a huge splurge for me; not only did they make me feel Parisienne, but Audrey Hepburn would’ve seen her double! Now it’s me and my cheapies again, the ones you didn’t want to remember, the ones you can’t clean with methylated spirits because the UV coating comes off and leaves you with crackling. For the umpteenth time, I wonder what sort of human being does this?  

I believe there’s money in a tip-off; children will gather information and sell it to gangsters. Drug addicts, of course, will sell their mothers for a fix. We live in a society hungry for money, other people’s property, even the most insignificant things. 

If it’s electronic, they’ll have it: the TV, iPad, cameras, lenses. Then they’ll stash the loot into our bags, suitcases, and sleeping bags, and saunter off nonchalantly, without giving a hoot. Not only was it in broad daylight, but it was also during the lunch hour! They were thorough, informed, prepared, and well-orchestrated. They didn’t dilly-dally, make a noise, fumble, or lose their nerve.  

Windows, locks, and doors can be repaired; things can be replaced, not always without a fight. Insurance companies don’t like doling out our money. They say they do in TV ads; believe me, when you press “send” on the EFT, they’re not so keen. Assessors are smart and ruthless, and one’s always underinsured. The faded old print in the broken frame becomes a Van Gogh, and Mother’s old dressing table with the ball-and-claw legs suddenly becomes irreplaceable and rare, not to mention the chipped cups and saucers; turn them over, and all you see is SPODE! 

I think I’ll go to Sotheby’s with the valuation; we’ll sell all the junk, I’ll redecorate, and stock my cupboards with labels and crystal glass.

Precious was shocked and traumatised; he felt helpless, and his imagination ran wild with all the “what ifs,” but we’re thankful those thoughts didn’t materialise. It took longer to take stock, make lists of missing things, and fill in forms. It was tedious, and we know it’ll be months before something will be gone when we need it. That’s collateral damage, I suppose. Thankfully, he tossed the three single socks discarded on the floor; what they did with my Spandex spinning pants I shudder to think.  

They had good taste, too. Thanks for leaving the broken iPod and my Taser. I'll have you know the broken light cover is irreplaceable. "The bank emailed as soon as you punched in the wrong code, loser, and the iPhone and iPad are blocked." These are things I'd like to shout out. May they have long, miserable, plague-ridden lives, like millions of other evildoers throughout the ages. I believe no good will come of them.

It's difficult not to become bitter and disillusioned. Nasty thoughts cross my mind. I want to reverse my car over some shady characters, but my close encounter with an articulated truck that filled the roundabout has put paid to that idea. Soldiering on is the name of the game; not everyone is a crook, liar, or thief. 

We've slept through the night for two nights in a row, and we'll live our lives because we have every right to.  Life is about Ying and Yang, and ethical mutants are all around us. This reflection aims to foster hope and resilience in my audience, showing that recovery is possible despite adversity.

“When I despair, I remember that throughout history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it--always.” Mahatma Gandhi