Hi All,
Last week my family and I headed to San Francisco to a time honored tradition of seeing "The Nutrcracker" ballet. I went as a child and still remember the thrill of watching the Christmas tree get bigger and bigger, and the fight between the Nutcracker and The Mouse King.
Flash forward to my being a Mom, and my parents treat the grandkids that are in California (7 out of 10) to the ballet. It is fun for all every year. So, last Saturday, we headed in to the City, all dressed up. Our normal routine is to stop for a quick bite at a McDonald's up the street from the War Memorial Theatre and then head to the show. I parked my Expedition in the parking lot, broad daylight, with people around. We were inside for maybe 20 minutes.
When we came out - I was shocked! I looked at where my car had been parked and what I saw was my car with windows smashed out. It took me a minute to realize it was my car - and I just said, "Oh my God!" - and then asked my Dad, "What do I do?" I know better than to leave precious things in a car - I don't really know what I was thinking except we were in a well populated area . . . anyway, when they busted in they grabbed
My cell phone (that was charging) - $700 (with special engraved cover), my digital camera ($300) - I cannot replace it as they no longer carry that model, my Zune ($300) that my daughter had brought with her, my Garmin GPS device ($250), two pairs of binnoculars (to watch the ballet), two DS-Lite Nintendo Systems (the kids play in the car) and even took the See's Candy that was for my parents.
All in all they made off with about $2,000 in "stuff."
We found one DS in the bushes - and my business tote was dumped down an alley nearby with nothing missing. We sent the kids off to the ballet with my sisters and father, and my Mom and I went about cleaning the glass out of the car, and put cardboard up on one of the smashed windows. The other one had to be left open so I could see to drive.
We made it to the Nutcracker right at intermission and enjoyed the rest of the show. Then came the adventure of driving home at night with the 40 degree weather, wind blowing in the car. I had a shawl/wrap I wrapped around my head twice, and my coat and gloves. My parents happened to have a sleeping bag in their car so gave that to the kids to bundle up with - and off we went.
It could have been worse. It could have been raining. It could have been my front windshield that was smashed. And all the "stuff" is replaceable more or less. The are things of convenience - nothing more. I did cry when it happened, mostly because a happy day was made sad by the robbers, and my kids stood there in sadness and were frightened by what happened.
I doubt we'll recover anything - although the police were helpful and hopeful that my descriptions of the items would help. Anything learned from this is always take anything valuable inside with me. I don't have a trunk in that car - so even though the windows are dark and I could put things in the very back, it still would not prevent a smash in robbery. Also, keep descriptions of things of worth handy in a file. My insurance company actually did not even ask me to produce receipts - just took my word for it that I had been robbed of all that stuff (it was the truth).
It put a damper on the Christmas spirit for a short while - but the end result is that I am happy that my family was safe, car is fine, things are replaceable, and that I am blessed to be able to have those things in the first place as I know there are many people in this world that do not have material possessions of that caliber.
Have an awesome weekend! - Jennie
Jennie-
So sorry that this happened to you and your kids. It really is a loss of innocence. I returned home from work one day with my then five yr old daughter to find the back door of our house broken into(still broad daylight). We went directly to the neighbors to call the police, since we weren't sure if someone was still inside. We never felt safe in the house again, and moved soon after.
I hope ya'll soon forget this experience-you have a great attitude about it. Best wishes for a wonder-filled holiday!
Kathy
Sorry you and your family had to have that happen. Imagine, broad daylight and no witness's I bet!
I had my stereo stolen out of my car (years ago) 3 times. The 2nd and 3rd time was in 2 weeks. The first time is cried, I felt violated.
Happy Holidays,
Dane
You're right, things can be replaced but the safety of your family is most important. What a terrible thing to happen though with your family in tow and on the way to such a nice family tradition.
The way you handled it Jennie is an example to your children and they will remember how you rose above the material things and took care of what was important. They still made it to the ballet and had time with family and everyone was OK. You were the calm in a storm.
May God bless you all and have a very Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you all as well! Any time things are taken from us against our will it does feel like a violation - and someone shared that when we take so much time in our cars, to have that broken into and damaged it impacts us in a different way as well. There were actually witnesses that watched it happen - and did not do anything! I am not sure I would willingly approach 4-5 guys either, but I would have at least run into the McDonald's to alert the patrons that someone's car was being robbed! The police said it happens so fast and they have special devices to shatter a window in a few seconds - grab and go - Jennie
Wow...definetly not a fun experience anytime of year but especially on what was such a fun day, but glad you handled it so well.
As Karen said, you did exactly the right thing by making sure it didn't impact the entire days events and still got the kids (and eventually you and your mom) to the ballet. Sometimes people have a tendency to stop everything when an event like that happens. That just makes it hurt more...so keep doing what you can and handle the important things first...like safety, your family. Sometimes even a sense of humor helps! Sounds silly but it works :)
I hope you were able to enjoy the rest of the holidays and hopefully get the windows replaced quickly. Brrr....
The key thing is that you are okay! The thing is that living in a safe neighborhood gives us the false sense of security sometimes and feel that we will be okay everywhere. Unfortunately parts of SF is not the safest area to leave stuff around. I had my camera stolen at job site before and I remember feeling so violated and angry. All it took was 5 minutes not paying attention. I am so sorry that this had happened to you but I am glad you and your family are fine, and your business tote is fine too! That will be much trickier to replace.
lots of HUGS & Love,
Cindy