Tags
Tell us a story, said the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge this past week. I have a sorry one to tell.
Once upon a time, there was a trusting and naïve woman making a happy new life in a fresh house and city. Last week, that life was shattered like her kitchen window, rendering her, in rough order, terrified, nauseous, paranoid, agitated, irritated, stoic, and resolved. In one week, she has fortified the house, bought new electronics, and begun the daunting task of recreating the documents, both physical and virtual, that will allow her to step back into the world.
When she does, she may return for a little peace to this magical grove of trees, discovered the day before the intrusion that sent her days into a tailspin.
Hope to be back to happy travel posts soon.
One Foot Out the Door 
I’m so sorry. Your reactions roughly parallel those I experienced the first time I was mugged in Houston: at Kirby and Westheimer, as a matter of fact. Those sorts of intrusion or attack can affect us for some time. I hope you regain a sense of security sooner rather than later.
And I must ask — where are those trees? What a remarkable set of images!
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s rough. I am trying but struggling to get back to normal. The trees – a happier topic – are along Memorial Drive. One big stand has had their lower trunks painted this brilliant green and another grove is blue. The Parks & Recreation did it to highlight our beautiful natural surroundings this spring.
LikeLiked by 3 people
ahh so sad. so sorry….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. It’s a shockingly bad experience, not one I am eager to repeat.
LikeLike
Not fair, Lexie
LikeLiked by 1 person
No indeed, although it has taught me some valuable lessons!
LikeLike
Sorry to hear about your bad experience. It’s a horrible feeling to lose one’s sense of security. I wish the best for you during this difficult time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks a lot. The loss of security and the idea that I was being watched is the worst part of it for sure.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ahhh, damn. This is surely a terrifying thing to have happened. I like your progression, it shows a strong, albeit pissed off individual. I wonder how much such break-ins will grow in number because clearly they are growing and will continue. I wish you peace.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, MMM! Peace is what I am looking for! It’s hard to wind down from such a thing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, bless, time will heal, but it’s still a horrible experience to be violated in such a way. Be strong!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. Some days I do well and some I don’t. And sometimes it changes by the minute! Time will help. Thanks for visiting.
LikeLike
A burglary? How terrifying. I hopped in with a smile to say that you’d only just beat this week’s Daily Post, Lexie. So sorry to hear this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jo. I didn’t have the time (or even equipment) to post earlier, but luckily I was able to replace my gadgets in the last week and check off the main tasks ahead of me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So I take it those responsible are still at large. So sorry to hear about this violation of your personal space. It’s okay to feel all of those emotions and any others that pass through. Everyone heals differently.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yep, the thief or thieves are still out there; they have struck before and likely will again in my neighborhood. Urban living is great, but there are sacrifices, and safety is one of them. Trying to decide what my appetite is for staying.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am so sorry this happened to you. It certainly ungrounds and uncenters us when bad things happen. But you are writing and talking about it and that will certainly help you get your bearings straight again. And you are not allowing fear to control your life. That’s so powerful! I think you are a brave and smart woman! The trees are lovely and waiting for your return whenever you are ready. Take good care.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your thoughtful and comforting message; it really does make me feel better just reading it. It’ll be a while, though, before I am fully upright and sturdy again. Every day helps!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sorry to hear about your woes, Lexie. The world can be a nasty place.
Take care —
Neil S.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Neil. The sun has shone upon me for much of my life and in the scheme of things, this was a dark cloud passing over and not a catastrophic storm. I am still lucky, but boy, it’s been tough to deal with a lot of this for the last week!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh Lexie how awful. I can only imagine how frightened and violated you must feel, quite apart from the loss of all your files. My heart goes out to you. I wish you a speedy recovery on all levels, and may the recreation of documents go smoothly and swiftly.
Hugs to you.
Alison
PS Where is that magical grove of trees?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Alison. I lost files but I also lost real documents – passports and other identity documents, which is so bad. I’ve spent every hour of the past week dealing with all the losses. 😦 😦
The trees are so cool! There are two clumps, one (here) with the trunks painted green and another done in blue. They are on each side of Memorial Drive, a main artery here in Houston. They were painted by the Parks & Recreation Dept to draw attention to the outdoor spaces in the city. I love them!
LikeLike
So sorry to hear what happened, Lexie. As the others have said, it must have been such a scary experience and a violation of personal space – and for that to be taken away so suddenly is so awful. Possessions can be replaced but these incidents can shake you up good. It is also interesting to hear you say urban living comes at a cost too. Sometimes I feel that way – the more people there are around you, the more of those who may be able to strike you…or the more people who can help you if you want to be more positive. Best wishes and stay well, stay safe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Mabel. I do think the scariness has been worse than the actually losses, which were also pretty bad. I am so jumpy these days, and I can’t decide if I feel better staying at home or leaving! Hoping time will calm me down.
LikeLike
I was reading the other comments, and they added so much more to the incident. ‘I feel this thief took so much more than my stuff from me.’ So sorry to hear that, almost like they have robbed you of your sanity. But it sounds like you are doing a good job of keeping calm. One time when I was a kid my house was robbed, and the thieves made off with loads of collectible whiskey – and they did so in the afternoon, in broad daylight. The thieves managed to dismantle our security system and were never caught. We did go on our lives as usual – lights off at night as usual, many restless nights but as time went on things just fell into place.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Every comment I read about people being able to go back to their normal lives after a burglary makes me feel a little better. Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry to hear this news! It sucks, but at least you are safe. X
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. And I keep focusing on that. He/they also did not hurt my sweet little dog, who witnessed the whole thing. Small mercies – I’ll take them!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh no! I’m so sorry to hear about this incident, Lex. In the small city where I spent my primary school years, there was a time when a thief almost broke into our house. Luckily my father was very sensible as he wittingly installed a low-cost and simple security system around the house; it involved making a DIY set made from thin black sewing thread and loads of empty cans. Before we went to bed, he would ‘activate’ it so whenever someone crossed over parts of our house, the cans would collapse and wake him up. He implemented the same system when we moved to another city. I remember one night the can collapsed and we all woke up and rushed to the front yard. We saw someone riding a bicycle really fast in the dark away from our house. That was quite nerve-wracking, so I can imagine how devastated you must have been when you found out that someone broke into your house. Hope a sense of normalcy returns very soon to you.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Great idea of your dad’s! We had cameras that have seen our perpetrator but there were no alarms set, unfortunately. Each day, I feel a tiny bit better as we replace belongings and papers, fortify the house better, and let the passage of time heal some of the raw fear.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh so sorry, Lexi.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Curt. Not a good week for me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was hoping this story was a work of fiction, but I see from the comments that it was not.
I (think I) can relate to how you’re feeling. When I was 20 years old, I was living alone in the province’s capital. One Friday morning, I got up and left for school just as I did every weekday. However, that day, a few minutes into my walk, I realized I had forgotten something so, I returned home. When I rounded the corner from the stairwell to my floor, I saw tools and metal shavings in front of my door, and I heard the thumping of footsteps down the back stairs. Whoever had been there had been sawing my deadbolt, and had obviously been waiting for me to leave. I called the police. They were on shift change and asked if I was okay waiting or if I needed someone right away. I (thought I was) okay to wait. It was about 20 minutes later when they arrived. By then, I was so shaken, I was nervous to open the door even for them. While they were there, one of the officers told me someone from the building next door came up to them when they arrived to report a break in. I slept with the lights on for months, and my TV remained on whether or not I was there until the end of my lease. It’s a difficult thing to shake off. I hope all the things you’re feeling now will pass soon(ish). Hugs.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m in the midst of that fear and paranoia now. Did you finally feel safe again? Was it just the change in where you lived or something that finally clicked inside you? I feel this thief took so much more than my stuff from me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s hard to say if I got over it on my own or if it was because I moved. The attempted break in happened a few weeks before Christmas break. I went home to my parents’ house for the holidays. I don’t think I spent enough time in my apartment before going away to process it properly. When I returned in January, so did the fear. But then, I was armed with alarms (one for my door, and one to carry when I walked) and a baseball bat (to keep next to my bed). I was doing much better in the fear department by April, when I moved out, but I was still paranoid/hyper alert right up until the day I left.
I moved back to a different area of the city a few years later, and felt completely fine.
In my case, the thief hadn’t gotten in. What shook me most was knowing how close I was to walking in on an intruder in my home. The dead bolt was about 2/3 cut when he took off. I spent sooooooo much time spiralling in “what if” thoughts.
It’s perfectly normal, and expected, for you to feel the way you feel. How long will it last? I wish I had an answer for you. All I can tell you is that for me (in my circumstances) I was okay in 5 months). I hope you find relief from the fear and paranoia soon. xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t even know what to hope for at this point. Five months sounds both good and bad. However long it takes, I say to myself, and then I wonder if I’ll ever get there at all. Thanks for all your input; it makes me feel much better in a strange way!
LikeLike
Glad I could help make you to feel better. Even if it is “in a strange way.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
What happened Lexi? Did your house get broken into ? Horrible!!!! I hope all is ok. I would be freaked out and very upset. I am so sorry Lexi. Xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, a week ago. I knew it the minute I walked in and then I found glass everywhere and my poor old dog hiding as far as she could get (not far; she is almost immobile). Terrible day, and not a fun aftermath in terms of replacing both the physical things stolen and trying to repair the intangible things I lost. 😦
LikeLike
SO sorry Lexi. Hope you get back on track soon.
LikeLike
Wow, that is nasty. I can’t imagine the feeling of violation and lost safety. I guess it’s good to remember that time heals wounds.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am sure hoping that does it. The new alarm system and some other things have helped a little, but I can’t help but wonder if I’ll ever really feel safe again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well that is awful Lex, so sorry to hear about it. We lived in downtown Charleston when we first moved south and our first year while we were away for Christmas our home was broken into and my computer and jewelry were stolen, obviously by professionals according to the police, since they ignored everything else. I was an only daughter of an only daughter so had inherited all of my grandmother, aunt and mother’s jewelry. Nothing was very valuable but there were so many sentimental pieces that were lost and never recovered. It is much more the sense of violation and insecurity that unsettles us with something like this but take my word when I tell you it passes and you will feel yourself again before long. Thinking of you and wishing you strength.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, that’s so sad about your jewelry. The computer thefts were hugely inconvenient here, but the papers and documents are the worst. So much identity repair to do. 😫
Reading others’ similar stories makes me feel a little less alone and gives me hope for a future that is less fearful. Thank you for that!
LikeLike
Two sides to everything…YAY!! Now you have something new and great to write about without shelling out plane fare! This is one reason why they say to have three hard drive backups to your stuff. Did you? Hey, did you see I signed you up on IG for a free vacation? I did it because I’m definitely going to win the trip to Argentina!!!! The mountain is cool in the header, but I miss the wall. I may be going back to Czechia this summer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had a backup on a hard drive, and most of the book I am writing was there and on a flash drive as well. I hadn’t backed either up terribly recently, but what I have is better than nothing.
I did see your IG tag but I’ve been too busy to pursue it. Thanks though! I went back to my mountain header because I was getting tired of the wall … if you go back to Prague and find the old painting, I’ll put my header back! 😀
LikeLike
oh my god! How horrific. look after yourself xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Andy, and yeah – not the best feeling or experience! Enjoy your trip!
LikeLike
Lex, I can’t fathom the shock and despair you felt upon discovering the break-in. I hope you’ve been able to sleep a little better now and am glad to read that some of your precious files were backed up. Also that your sweet old dog wasn’t harmed even though she was there at the time! The closest thing I’ve had to your situation took place during my sophomore year in college when I was staying in an old townhouse with five friends. It was Easter break and I’d already packed everything up and put it in storage – the final semester was spent doing an internship back home. I was crazy lucky since the burglary happened after I left: my housemates found the kitchen window open and their electronics stolen.
On another note, I came very, very close to losing a new phone (my old one died after being used for seven years) a few days ago when I left it in a taxi on the way to work. It had simply slipped out of my pocket and I hadn’t even noticed. A frantic call to the taxi company followed and luckily I remembered the driver’s name plate because he’d taken me on the same route quite a few times. The woman at the other end of the line assured me they’d look for it and in just 10 minutes they called back to say the driver was returning to my workplace with my new phone. When he showed up 20 minutes later (braving the rush hour traffic, no less!) I gave him a big tip – which surprised the guy because he wasn’t expecting anything in return. That experience reminded me why I love Jakarta so much in spite of its many flaws.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your nice note, James. It seems many of us have either had or almost had a brush with a home invasion – very scary stuff. My insides have been all knotted up since it happened; I have a constant level of anxiety just sitting in my chest. That was alleviated a little yesterday when I got the amazing news that the thief dumped my safe with almost all my documents in a park way south of me. A kind man gathered up the papers and took them to the police station, from which I retrieved them. Although I’d already spent hundreds of dollars and about 10 days’ time replacing them, it’s still good to know that most of them are back in my hands instead of someone else’s. We need to remember the good guys – this one who returned my stuff and your driver.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so sorry to read this, Lexie! What a frightening and unjustified experience. The infringement, the mix of emotions, the feeling of fear, the loss of material goods and documents, the hassle of dealing with it all… How awful. I’m trying to see a silver lining here, but there is none. I am glad that your dog was unhurt and I hope that you had your digital documents backed up. They should not get away with this. But, if not caught and trialed, karma will mess them up somehow! Wishing you strength, comfort and positive thoughts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for all your positive thoughts, Liesbet. It’s been a trying 10 days, but things are starting to settle down a little. I had made backups, but I had foolishly put off the last one until too late, so I lost some things created in the last month or so (including parts of my own book and my entire planning document for an April trip – ugh). And amazingly, my safe was found this past weekend! Most of those documents were intact (although I had already paid and applied to replace them all. 😦 ) My sister arrives today to take my mind off things, and that will be great!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lex I am so sorry to hear this happened to you. In 1997 our house was robbed while we were away in a weekend. They took most everything short of the kitchen sink. It was highly unsettling and took some time to feel secure again. Like you are doing we made some changes regarding security. I’m sending hugs because really it sucks and even though it’s 20 years ago I can still recall the feelings. Xo
LikeLiked by 2 people
It is amazing to me how many people have told me their own break-in stories! Although I’d never wish these terrible feelings of violation on anyone (let alone the chore of replacing things), it is somehow comforting to know that real, regular people like me have gone through this and come out the other side feeling OK again. Thanks for your note and the virtual hugs!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I too have been surprised over the years how many people share this experience. Sadly I might add but it did make he feel better in some odd way of solidarity. I’ll be thinking if you and sending positive energy you way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I came by your blog to see what lovely adventures you’d been having and found this – how terrible Lex. So sad to hear you have so much psychological and administrative fallout to work through. I have not had this experience yet so am unsure what comfort I can offer, other than in a year’s time I have every faith this post will be buried among many more positive ones – because bad times and experiences like this eventually do pass and time is always holding joy up its sleeve. If anyone can find them, it’s you. Sending good wishes and love your way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, this was not the lovely adventure I’d been hoping to have! Things get better day by day, and my next REAL adventure (Italy) starts soon, so I will have more pleasant things to write about!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well that’s something I’ll look forward to reading about.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so sorry to hear about your break in. That must be such a horrible feeling and I can imagine it lingers with you day and night. Wishing you well!
What is that tree grove? I assume that’s paint.?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks – three weeks later I am starting to feel normal – finally! That is (non-toxic) paint; the Parks & Recreation Dept painted the trunks of this grove green and another big clump a bright blue simply to draw attention to the pretty outdoors along some big roads. I love it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, that must be scary. When I was younger, I once moved into a ground floor flat that had just been broken into (by druggies) when the previous tenant was still there. I was scared for a long time that they would return. Luckily they didn’t. Having to reorganize everything and replace everything must be a huge task. Hope they didn’t take anything valuable, like your photos/computer?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Unfortunately, they did take two laptops (both mine), a new iPhone, some cash, and (the worst in many ways) my safe, which held important documents and papers. I went about replacing all the papers and when I had everything ordered and paid for, someone found the safe way south of the city and I got back almost all of the things in it. A big relief even if late. I had backed up my main laptop a month or so before, so I saved most computer documents and photos, but still lost some valuable stuff. 😦
I’m feeling better after three weeks. At first I just wanted to move, but now I feel we’ve taken some extra precautions that will help. I would have been scared in your situation, too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope it’ll soon become a distant memory and nicer things will happen 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
UGH! How did I miss this???? This stinks!! It is one of my biggest fears…the thought of some stranger in my house freaks me out. I am glad you were not in the house and that the pup is ok. Hugs girl….I hope this weekend away was helpful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just as well that you (almost) missed it! It’s always sad to realize all of mankind is not well-intentioned. It brought me down big time, but getting away and also the passage of time has helped take my mind off the scariness of that day. And I am indeed thankful for small mercies – that I wasn’t here or hurt, that the dog was OK, etc.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Funny you should say that, this weekend we came across soooo many well-intentioned people. Seemingly one right after another – my faith in humanity was mostly restored ;-).
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am mortified to hear this new Lexie. I once had a car stolen but that doesn’t have the same sense of violation as the invasion of one’s personal space. My first thought was that you need to get out of Houston and come live with us on the boat (‘Run away’ is my first reaction to negative situations although I quickly return to ‘face the beast and kick it in the butt) It sounds like you are well on your way to recreating an improved sense of comfort and safety in your space again. I hope they find the f’ers that did this and put them way for along time.
PS. those trees are magnificent
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep, this was a real kick in the teeth. Another way we are similar: my first reaction was I’m outta here – not so much Houston but my semi-urban house and neighborhood, where petty crime is common. Like a fool, I figured it would never happen to me. Now I am smarter and more resolved; we have fortified better and I am determined to stay and work it out, at least for a while. It may grow old, and I may migrate into another area eventually, but we do like being in the thick of things and being able to walk or drive quickly to so many places. Like to that grove of trees – aren’t they fun?!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you fortified rather than ran. The pros of staying put for the short term seem to outweigh the cons.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh no, this isn;t what I expected to read Lex. I’m so sorry. I know exactly what you must be going through. Our home – in a small town – was burgled several years ago when we were away for just one night to pick up our daughter from boarding school. We returned to find our yard filled with cops and the back door ajar. I lost an expensive camera and all my silk saris including the one I wore for my wedding. None of it was recovered. The feeling of violation was far worse than the loss. Took a while to get over. Sending you warm hugs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isn’t it awful? The sense of violation is the worst, but of course losing things is a royal pain also. I lost two laptops, a phone, and all my personal identity documents – such a pain to replace. Luckily, someone later found all the papers in a field miles away, and I got them all back. I’d replaced them already, but at least I knew no one had all that important information. But your saris, especially your wedding one – that makes me feel even sadder! Mine was just “stuff” – yours had good memories attached. Sorry you had to go through that. Hugs back!
LikeLike