Saturday, December 31, 2011

Lots of good people in the world

The ladies enjoying coffee after our six-mile walk
This New Year's Eve morning I went off to walk with the Fairhaven Walkers, exactly a week from the date of the smashed window and wild ride into theft, loss, and confusion. When I set out in the dark this morning to the meeting place for our walk, I stopped by the post office to check the box. I hadn't yet received a new debit card, so the money in my brand-new bank account was not accessible to me. But there at the post office was a registered letter and a helpful clerk who went and got it for me, before the post office was even officially open. That was nice of him. Inside the letter was my new debit card. How nice!

And I also found another interesting thing in my post office box: an envelope without a return address, sort of thick. Here is what it said on the back of the envelope:
"Found on Samish Way near Elks Club"
My checks! Of course this account has now been closed, so we'll just shred these checks, but some nice person found them and put two of their Forever stamps on the envelope and sent it to the post office address on my checks. Wasn't that a nice thing to do? No checks were used or taken, so I am glad to think that perhaps these thieves were looking for my credit and debit cards. The fact that they also got my iPad2 and camera were a bonus find, I suspect. (The backdrop behind the envelope is January's Parachutist, which was also in the post office box.)

When we gathered this morning at 8:00am, I told the ladies about last week's theft, because they had all been there, too, but it was me who was victimized. They listened with gasps of incredulity, because it could have been any one of them. One lady who was parked next to me saw the smashed-out window when she went to leave. Most put their purses behind the driver's seat and push them down out of sight. No more. They will all make changes in the way they handle their valuables, so this makes me very happy. Some good has already come from this.

I also bought this anti-theft device to put onto my steering wheel. Although it looks cumbersome, it's easy to take on and off. I put it onto the car when I'm parked at home, since they know my address and have a key to my car. Some people have suggested leaving no valuables in your car at a trailhead and opening the glove compartment to show any would-be thieves that there is nothing worth taking. I'm not sure how I will handle that, but now my driver's license and credit cards are on my person, not ever to be left in my car again.

My friend Teresa Evangeline has a wonderful post on her blog today, and it gives me a sense of what I want to strive for in the coming year. She calls it "In the Living Room of the World," and lists four important tenets that she has tried to follow ever since she read the book "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz. I found this post especially inspiring, but anyone who follows her knows this post is not an unusual one for her. She's a real find.

So now I believe I can put this incident in my life to bed and begin anew at the turning of the new year. The walking group always ushers in the new year at Lake Padden with a celebration after a walk, so they will be meeting there tomorrow morning. My friend Peggy has offered to come pick me up if I don't feel safe leaving my car parked there, but I've thought about it and realize that I am not vulnerable now in the way I was before. All valuables will be with me and not in the car, so I'll join the celebration and put the past year behind me. I do hope that all of you will have a wonderful and joyous celebration tonight.
:-)

35 comments:

  1. There is so much hope for the future in your post today. Congratulations, DJan! I am proud of you.

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  2. I had my purse stolen when we first moved to Oregon. It took me a while to get over it but the good thing is that I'm much more careful today than I was at that time.

    Recently Bob forgot to lock up our car one night. It sits right outside our apartment. The next morning someone had gone through everything in it. Every item was laid neatly in the seats on on the floor. Not a thing was missing. We apparently didn't have what they were looking for. We were surprised though that they left over $30 in change. We were very lucky but are much more careful now about locking the car.

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  3. See there are some good people! You are sounding better..we have all learned from your experience. I went to visit Teresa Evangeline..awesome thoughts! Happy New Year..that is a greeting for Smart Guy too:)

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  4. I'm glad you got your checks back. There are, thankfully, more honest people than dishonest in the world. I sincerely wish you a wonderful 2012 with all the good things that life can bring you.

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  5. i am glad you can put this behind you djan...and i am glad as well that they found the checks...i dont guess they could get a print eh? happy new year! wishing you all the best

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  6. Your walking friends are good people and the person who mailed you your checks, too. I'm so glad you are putting this behind you as quickly as you are able.

    Yes, Teresa is a real find! So are you!
    Happy New Year, dear lady! :)

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  7. I am so glad that you are feeling better. I really, really hope that your positive attitude as you stride into the New Year sees fresh adventures and new friends. Thank you for being you and for sharing yourself so generously.

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  8. Aah, there are definitely some good people out there. A really nice person took the time to rescue your cheques, probably realize what had happened and did the proper thing to mail them to you. Hurrah for them or he or she.
    You sound great DJan - we all learn from everything that touches us.
    I rather like that stick and may just purchase one and the tip about the glove compartment open is a good one. Thanks and Happiness Kiddo :)

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  9. This has been quite a week for you, dealing with this theft and invasion. You have definitely come through it wiser and perhaps less trusting, but with a positive attitude. Happy New Year! Have a great time on your celebratory walk.

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  10. Your positive attitude will get you through this.....it already has! Happy New Year!

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  11. From your terrible experience, you have educated all of us, DJan. I am so much more careful with my bag now. Thank you.

    Have a wonderful, safe new year!

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  12. You're a real fighter so I know you'll learn from a tragedy and carry on. The bar on the steering wheel acts as a deterrent just like a dead bolt. They see this and move on to something else that's easier.
    Enjoy your walk tomorrow morning.

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  13. A wonderful New Year to you, dear friend and soul sister. Thank you so much for sending folks my way. I got to meet some new people and that's always fun!

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  14. It helps to restore our faith in humanity when good things like this happen. Those steering club locks are a good deterrent. It's certainly wise to re-think leaving valuables in the car. Did you know you can have an immobiliser fitted to your car to protect it from theft?

    I'm off to check out Teresa's post now.

    I hope the new year will bring you many blessings of love, peace and happiness. xo

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  15. Wishing You All the Best in the New Year, DJan!

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  16. Lucky duck on the checks. Also the don't steal my car pole is a bastard to get off if you forget how it works. Trust me.

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  17. I hope you find yourself surrounded by many good things in the new year. Wishing you the best in 2012.

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  18. I'm just catching up with you after some time away. I'm so sorry to hear about your break-in, and so impressed with the way you've turned it around and created an experience of empowerment, not just for you, but for all of us.

    I hope the new year is full of more goodness than you thought possible.

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  19. So glad that ordeal is behind you and you are able to carry on in your usual routines without fear . That's really the very worst after such an intrusion. You have a great support group too and tha 's because of you!!

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  20. Great post for a new year! May 2012 be good to you.

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  21. It does restore one's faith in humanity when a simple act of returning checks takes place. Perhaps they thought you had just lost them and had no idea of the robbery. That alone speaks volumes. Thanks for sharing your positive approach to the future.

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  22. Happy New Year DJan!

    That was really nice of someone to mail your found checks. At least you know what happened to them if not the other valuables. I'm glad to hear you incident will help others avoid the same situation. Leaving any valuables in an auto is not safe.

    Enjoy the new year!

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  23. Interesting thought about leaving the glove compartment open to show nothing is in there. You sound like you are recovering well. That's impressive. Praying no flashbacks or any kind of triggers bother you emotionally in the future. You are doing a great job moving forward and encouraging the rest of us.

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  24. When I used to live in San Francisco and had to park on the streets, I had an older car and always left it unlocked with nothing in it. It was inevitable it would be broken into otherwise and often I could tell someone had slept in the car. That's just the way it was without a garage there. I had forgotten about it. Now, I think your suggestion of leaving the glove box open is a good one.

    That is so cool that someone sent your checks to you!

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  25. for all the years I lived and worked in NYC it was second nature to expect theft and violence
    I had the steering wheel club, a starter cut off
    I kept nothing in the car
    I walked like my head was on fire and glared at anyone who invaded my space
    when I got the house and a driveway on a private little street it was so relaxing
    yet when I'm back in NY it comes right back

    I'm glad you had a good start to the new year
    I love the top photo

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  26. D-Jan,your a strong lady.Glad to see you starting this new year in such a positive way.Enjoy each new day,have fun.

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  27. What an unhappy ordeal to start the year off with. I will have to rethink my parking and walking safety plans as well.

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  28. What an unhappy ordeal to start the year off with. I will have to rethink my parking and walking safety plans as well.

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  29. My internet has been acting like a petulant child. I tried to comment, slow and no go. I left your page and low and behold two comments appeared when I came back. So I thought I'd make it 3. A record! Of course two are twins.

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  30. I salute you! I couldn't walk six miles if my life depended on it. I hope if I finally get my left knee replaced this year it will correct all my issues. Wishful thinking but...what else is there?

    Happy New Year to you dear Jan. You are a faithful thoughtful reader and I appreciate it more than I can say.

    xo CG

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  31. How decent of the person to mail the checks to your P.O. Box, I wish there were more people who would be kind enough to do likewise.
    I would have done that, and so even though you endured a hardship by the car break-in, it goes to prove, there are still good people in this confusing world of ours :)
    My wishes to you and yours for a Happy and Healthy New Year !
    Looking forward to visiting back and forth in 2012.
    Hugs,
    ~Jo

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  32. My gosh....the good people astound us sometimes, and it's a wonderful feeling that not all is 'lost' in this world where the media tends to make it all look like we live in corruption and chaos.

    I really LOVED reading this post.

    Thanks for visiting.

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  33. Happy New Year DJan!

    I'm glad to read things are looking up! The anti-theft device will probably be a good deterrent! :o)

    It's wonderful to know there are still plenty of good people out there who will mail yoour checks to you!

    Best wishes for the New Year! HUGS!

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  34. You are such a positive thinker.. good for you for acting effectively and putting it all behind you.

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  35. I'm just catching up and left my comment on the issue on your post about the theft. I think you are an amazingly positive person. I applaud your handling of this issue.

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