So yesterday Eric took the day off from work, and after we dropped the kids off at summer school, we had a lovely morning over coffee. Then he needed to pick up new glasses, and I went to get the kids while he handled that. We got back to the house around 12:30.
And found the dining room window bent in half, ripped from its frame.
Somebody, while we were gone, came into our house and took away a collection of portable electronics. Our iPods, the boys’ handheld video game players (including the plastic box of cartridges), two laptops, some older PDAs. They attempted to but didn’t take the main computer, probably because it was large and connected to such a mess of cables. They didn’t take the kids’ game consoles, probably because they’re old and not worth much, but they did yank them out of the entertainment center and strew them across the floor in a hasty search. Interestingly, they didn’t touch my camera or my pearl necklace, both of which were visible on the desk, next to the iPods that they were so careful to pack up with all their necessary cables and chargers. They didn’t take any medications. The search appears to have extended upstairs into our bedrooms (the drawers were yanked out and rifled; the closets were tossed), but nothing was taken from there.
It was all just stuff. It was all replaceable. What shakes me to my core is this: somebody came into my house. They probably knew my routine, knew that I take the boys to school in the morning and am gone for at least that time. But what they couldn’t have known was that Eric would be home. The scene that plays through my head is one where Eric takes the boys to school, I stay home and wait for him, and I hear the window being broken while I’m alone. Or I take the boys by myself, Eric stays home, and I come home to find something has happened to him. Yes, they probably would have run if they’d been caught…but nobody can be sure of that. An intruder, in a panic, could choose fight over flight, and those are the images I can’t stop seeing.
The kids are shaken; they keep panicking over misplaced objects, leaping to the conclusion that they’ve been stolen. Sam keeps thinking they’ll come back again. I’m trying to stay calm on the outside when the kids are watching me, but when they’re not around, I’m just trying not to break down.
Whoever did this, whoever you are, I hope you’re pleased with yourself. (And enjoy trying to sell that one particular laptop. Maybe you’ll get some quick cash from somebody in need of a large doorstop.)
I’m doing this race as my first 50K/ultra in July 2012. I’m so tardy to the party but...
I am so sorry. I can only imagine how you feel. I truly hope you are all able to feel calm again in a few days.
I’m so sorry to hear this Carrie!! I have been through something like that as well, and I remember how awful I felt.
Just hug your family close and remember that what’s most important to you is safe! It will take time, but the feelings will pass and you will feel safe in your home again.
Sending lots of prayers for all of you!
*HUGS!* i’m glad you’re all okay at least. i’m so sorry this happened, though.
Carrie, I am so sorry. That is awful. ::hugs::
Carrie – I am so sorry this has happenened to you. It has been several years, but I remember vividly the feeling of being violated. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours.
Terry
Oh, I’m so sorry to hear this, I cannot imagine what you are going through. Praying for some peace for you and thankful Eric was there with you when you went back into the house.
dang. So sorry. Everytime I get something stolen I feel so violated.
It is just stuff, but the thing taken that is harder to replace is your feeling of security.
I wish I could bring you over a big pie and a hug.
Oh no Carrie!! I’m SO SO sorry that this happened to you. I remember when someone broke into our house and stole all my jewelry (including some heirloom) and medications. I didn’t care about the medications, it was the jewelry that made me sick. In our case they didn’t ransack the house and I think once they found the medications they took off. It was just so awful to come home with babies (Tristan was under a year and Alyssa just 2 when this happened) and discover that someone had been in the house and could still BE there. It freaked me out.
And just about a week ago, good friends and neighbors had their house broken into as well. Like you they completely ransacked the house and stole their big tv, game consoles and games, jewelry and other electronics. It happened between 9:00 and 11:30 AM. One thing to be aware of, that the police told them was to install some kind of alarm system or something because often robbers will come back to a house a month later when all the items stolen have been replaced!
I agree, things can be replaced, but the feelings of being violated and the fear of someone trying to break in when you or someone you love might be at home is much worse. Even WITH the alarm system we had installed after our break-in, I still don’t like being alone at home with the kids when Michael is out of town.
I’m so sorry and I’m sending big hugs your way!
I’m so sorry! They left the pearls and camera? That sounds like kids/teenagers. We lived in an apartment where our car & truck were broken into a total of 4 times. Once they left THOUSANDS of dollars worth of hand and power tools and took only the stereo and CDs. This sort of behavior indicates a very unsophisticated thief – i.e. usually young. Or perhaps it was just one person. Still terrifying of course, but it helped me to think that it was dumb 16 year old breaking into my car, rather than a crazy, desperate, drug-addled professional criminal!
One of my sister’s friends in Florida got robbed a few days ago. Cops showed up, took notes, left…
then the thieves came back and took her car using the spare keys they had stolen.
God be with you and your family, Carrie…pray to St. Michael the Archangel for protection…(((HUGS)))
I am SO sorry – what a terrifying violation of your home and family! I too will say a prayer for your family.
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