I wrote my first draft for this post on a yellow pad. Sometimes I like to write on a yellow pad with long and broad stokes; much like a painter would enjoy a large canvas.Telling this story needs broad strokes; I need to find room between the lines to identify my emotions.

All my identifying documents, bank card and my wallet were stolen from my car while parked at a wilderness trail head; almost $2000.00 was spent by the villains in less than two hours.

Beauty

Pieper (my golden retreiver) and I were parked at the trail head of Stratton Open Space, hiking on Cheyenne Mountain. It was Pieper’s birthday (she just turned four) and I promised her a hike and a swim and after a trip to the doggie store for a toy and a bone. I love this girl.

The hike was wonderful. There was cloud cover and it looked like rain. Not at all what the weather person predicted (90 degrees and hot). The forest was lush and green and a light breeze played in the tree tops. Pieper went swimming and we ran into an old friend and continued hiking with her and her three canines. After about two hours we returned to the parking lot.

The Beast

I unlocked the car and noticed the glove compartment open and items scattered onto the seat and floor; then I notice my wallet and other items missing. I let my friend know, she said she would go home (she lives near by) and call me back with my bank phone number. I called the police to report the incident and was told if I have computer access to make the report on line and that I didn’t have to stay at the scene; they would send a patrolman to my house later.

On the way home I called my bank and canceled my debit card. When I got home I checked my account and the thieves had spent over eighteen hundred dollars at Target and Circuit City in two hours.

Panic and Fear

Directly after I felt shock; the process of canceling all my bank accounts brought anger and I pounded my fist on my desk while on hold with my bank; this caused something to come loose on my DSL connection and disconnected my Skype phone connection with my bank, fueling the fire of anger and frustration! Plus, I’d used up my cell phone minutes; Panic set in: I had no communication; and who knows who is out there, knows I’m a senior woman; where I live; and has my house keys!

Friends are Gifts of Light!

Luckily I’d gotten off calls to a couple of friends before my communication lines were dead and friends were at my door in less than an hour after I left a voice mail. They took me to the grocery; bought me a new lock for my door; installed it; and got my DSL and Skype up and running. I feel safe.

The Day After

It’s the day after. I’m sitting outside writing with broad strokes on a yellow pad and trying to sort out my feelings about the incident. The sound of water is soothing as it lightly sprinkles onto a couple of pine trees. The heat of the day is melting away as the clouds filter the suns rays; I’m drinking a water mixed with juice and vitamin c, it’s just what my nutritionist would order. Birds are chirping, feeding and watering at my tiny oasis. I’m feeling some peace as I sit and ponder forgiving the thieves who stole from me.

Forgiveness

Writing about this incident helps me to understand humanity and our weaknesses. I want so much to keep inocense alive; to believe in truth and trust. With each passing day I fell less anger and frustration. I know without forgiveness, peace can not enter my heart. I will find a trail to forgiveness; I can not live without peace in my heart!

Lessons

• People are desperate
• Do not leave your windows cracked
• Make copies of all the documents in your wallet
• Nurture your friends
• Have good insurance
• Forgive

Happy, Safe and Forgiving Trails!