Book
crook a reminder of past heists
A local business that sells my book reported this week that someone had stolen
a copy. The proprietor thought I would be upset, but I actually smiled at the
news. I know it’s a little weird but on some level, I was flattered that
someone would go to the trouble of stealing “Remembering Big”. Apparently,
the thief was not armed and fortunately no one was hurt during the caper.
I would like to say to all potential thieves out there that you don’t have
to knock off local businesses to get your hands on a copy of my book. You can
check it out of any local library. If the book is always checked out, I can donate
a few more copies in the interest of lowering the crime rate here in our home
town. I’m sure the couches and chairs at the local library are more
comfortable than what you’d find in the slammer.
I flipped back through “Remembering Big” again wondering to myself
what stories could have pushed someone to break the law in this great state of
Alabama. I mean, the story “Daddy Taught Me How To Cuss” was pretty
funny, and “Old Buddy Changed My Mind” generated a lot of e-mails
from readers all over the county, but were they enough to make someone snap and
break the Eighth Commandment — Thou Shalt Not Steal? It’s hard to
say.
Jilda said mirthfully that a homeless person probably wandered in from the streets
looking for kindling to heat up a can of Vienna Sausages. She must have seen
the injury in my eyes because she quickly amended her explanation to say “or
they probably stole it to sell so they could buy food for their kids.” It
was a nice recovery but the damage had already been done. That little remark
will have a negative impact on the value of her Christmas gift this year.
I’m guessing the truth is, someone decided on the spur of the moment they
wanted the book, so they picked it up and walked out. I will survive the loss
of a book, but I know first hand that being the victim of theft is no laughing
matter.
In 1971, a few months before I was drafted into the United States Army, a thief
broke my heart when he stole my prized 1965 Impala SS off Second Avenue in Birmingham.
I will never forget the feeling of walking out of the store and realizing that
my pride and joy was gone forever. The police came and wrote a report, but the
officer said bluntly, “You’ll never see that car again.” And
I never did.
Several years later around Christmas, someone burglarized our house They stole
electronics, videos, small appliances and Jilda’s class ring. We both felt
violated because someone had come into our house uninvited and gone through our
personal space.
The loss of our possessions was bad, but “things” can be replaced.
When the thieves broke into our house, they took something much more precious
than our VCR.
They stole our peace of mind and sense of security that we felt in the privacy
of our home.
The next day, I called ADT and had hidden cameras and security equipment installed
in our house.
I hope the person who lifted my book reads it. I honestly hope the words, put
a smile on their face and somehow adds a little light in their lives. Wouldn’t
it be a miracle if they read my story about “Life Decisions”, and
the words somehow moved them to make a fundamental change in their life and they
started giving instead of taking?
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