today is the day...to wear it with love. (an experience post.)

Stupid robbers.  What makes people think it is okay to break into someone’s house and take their things?  I get that people are desperate.  I get that people are in need.  But stealing…it just makes me sick to my stomach and very angry. 

A dear friend of mine was robbed last week. 

She came home to find drawers emptied on the floor, closets ripped apart, bed mattresses tossed.  She came home to find that someone had literally robbed her of her memories by taking silver handed down by her mother and grandmother and precious jewelry collected over the last sixty some years.  She came home to feel violated and scared. 

This friend of mine is strong.  She is faithful.  She was quick to say the words, “Well, no one was hurt and it’s only stuff.”  But the pain in her eyes was evident and those of us who love her hurt with her.  We wanted to help her wash away the fingerprints or curl up on her couch to protect her like guards through the night. 

But she wouldn’t have it. 

So we talked about her.  And we decided that even though it wouldn’t replace what she had lost, we would each bring her a gift of jewelry from our own collections. I am the kind of person who owns a lot of costume jewelry.  I love big bulky necklaces and I am thrilled that the 80’s influence of wearing dozens of bracelets at the same time is back

in style. 

But I certainly wouldn’t miss one piece.  Who am I kidding…I wouldn’t miss dozens of pieces and don’t need any of them.  (My mantra lately has been “Want or need?  Want or need?” because the reality is they are two very different things.) 

This morning she came into her office to see jewelry spread out on her desk. 

From across the hall I could hear her say, “What is this?”  A few minutes later, I heard her crying. 

She’s curious.  She’s touched.  She’s crying what I hope are happy tears.  “Who?” She asked me.  “I don’t know what you are talking about,” I said with a smile that told a different story.  “While this doesn’t replace what you lost, hopefully it will create a new memory.  Just know that you are loved.”

I didn’t say these exact words, but I hope that this gesture tells her better than I could ever voice that we are right here, walking together.