Wednesday, January 26, 2011

It Could Have Been Worse

My home was burglarized this past Monday and included among the items stolen was my computer. In some ways it feels like having a limb cut off--although I imagine that would be much much worse. I lost quite a bit with the loss of my computer. This has been a hard reminder of how important it is to back up my computer regularly. The last time I made a back up was two years ago.

My husband has been extremely generous is sharing his computer with me; however, as you can imagine, it isn't quite the same. I am checking my e-mail regularly, both via my cell phone and his computer, but my time on the computer is limited at the moment.

You would think my need to escape in a book would increase at this point, but instead I'm finding it hard to read and therefore blog. My concentration is shot. It'd be the perfect time to veg in front of the television set, but, well, the television was taken too. I'm sure it will pass and I'll be back to reading and blogging in no time. Thank goodness I have work and packing to keep me busy. Not to mention animals to cuddle and play with and a husband who has been my anchor through all of this. I know it has been just as hard on him (probably even harder because he has to deal with a very pregnant and emotional wife).

So please forgive me for my absence the next several days. I hope to be back in the swing of things soon.

As for the most important concern, the only ones home at the time of the burglary were my dog and cats who fortunately were not harmed in any way physically. I can't even imagine what it must have been like for them, being home alone, and having someone kick in the door and violate their sanctuary. Needless to say they were frightened by what happened. My husband and I are trying to do what we can to maintain as normal a routine as possible to help them (and us) through this. The material items taken are replaceable, but our sense of safety and well being in our own home will be much more difficult to get back.


© 2011, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved.If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

53 comments:

  1. Wendy, I am so sorry for what you lost. I wouldn't mention this, but just today I heard on the news about a family's dog who was killed during a burglary. Our sweet Shih Tzu wouldn't be much of a threat to an intruder, though he would certainly try. I'm happy that your pets weren't harmed and hope that things return to normal for you soon. Annie

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  2. Oh Wendy, I'm so glad you and your husband and animals are ok. We were robbed too, a few years ago, when I was home on maternity leave. Thankfully we were out at the park when it happened. It took a long time to get over the sense of violation though, knowing someone has been through your things is awful. I'm sorry for your computer too - I know it's a thing and can be replaced, but it's still yours and taken. Take care of yourself!!

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  3. Oh Wendy, I am so so so sorry. I know this has got to be the worst feeling. I am glad you'll be moving eventually so you can escape these bad memories and I am so thankful no one was hurt.

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  4. How awful! It happened to us once too and I felt so incredibly violated. I too am glad you are moving soon! And so glad you weren't home and the animals are okay!!!

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  5. That's awful, Wendy! And so very scary. I'm glad no one was hurt. Take care. {Hugs}

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  6. Thievery of any kind is so much more infuriating than you would think. It's great that you already have quite an optimistic attitude about it!

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  7. Oh no, I'm so sorry Wendy for you and your family had to go through.

    I understand how you would not feel safe in the house anymore, good thing you'll be moving shortly.

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  8. What a horrible thing to experience! I am so sorry - and so very glad that neither you nor your husband was home at the time, and that your furry ones were not harmed. (Hugs)

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  9. Oh Wendy, that was so bad. But I am glad that no was hurt.

    Like I say to my students, this too shall pass. You take care, ok?

    Hugs!

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  10. We too have been robbed, 2x in fact. I know how you feel. You feel so invaded having strangers in your house touching your stuff. They took my pillowcase off my bed, ew! In the end, you are right to remember that it is only material things and what is most important is that nobody was hurt and your animals are safe. We got an alarm system after the second break in. sending you a hug!

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  11. Sorry about this, but so glad it was just STUFF, and no one was hurt. I am fortunate to have never experienced this, or even a car break in, nor has any of our relatives.

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  12. I'm so sorry! As you mention, the sense of safety and security are the biggest losses and are difficult to get over. I'm glad no one was hurt and that your pets are fine.

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  13. OMG Wendy that is awful! I am so glad you weren't home, and that your animals were OK. So thank God for that. On the positive side, you will soon be moving so you won't have to have that lingering memory. I pray that your insurance company will make this as easy as possible for you, and maybe perhaps you will even get upgrades!

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  14. Wendy, I am so sorry this happened to you. Thank goodness the animals were not harmed.

    I believe in karma and they'll get theirs in the end. At least you'll be moving soon so you won't have to keep thinking about it.

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  15. Wendy, I am so sorry for this! What a mess, but I'm glad it was not worse. Our house was burglarized when I was a teenager and I remember that feeling of violation. Hugs to all of you there at Casa Wendy and to Mr. Wendy and all the little beasties. You guys take care!

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  16. Oh Wendy! I am so sorry to hear this! The animals must be frightened to death! I know what this is like because it happened to me as well, and though it does take time, you will feel safe again. I am glad to hear that nobody was home to have to go through this, and will be praying for you and the baby, you husband and the animals. Hang in there, Wendy. Things will be ok.

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  17. Oh, Wendy, I am so very sorry. A robbery is one of the things I fear most, so I cannot even imagine how this must feel. You, your husband, and the animals will be in my thoughts and prayers. (((Hugs)) to you.

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  18. I'm so sorry to hear that this happened to you! What a horrible experience for you and your animals. And thank goodness you guys weren't there and no one got hurt, but still - so awful! I hope your peace of mind and feeling of safety return quickly.

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  19. I'm so sorry, Wendy - it's not like you need something else to deal with right now! I'm glad the critters are OK and that no one was home. (But now you have a little less that has to be packed...)

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  20. So sorry to hear such terrible news. I offer you a virtual hug (((HUG)) and hope that you, your husband & your animals are taking care and keeping well.

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  21. I'm sorry to hear your home was burglarized, but glad that your pets are safe.

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  22. How terrible! It might be a good thing that you are planning a move in the future. A fresh start might be in order. I hope you can get back into the swing of things soon!

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  23. Oh, Wendy!! I'm so sorry to hear about this and that the animals were scared. I'm thankful that you and your husband weren't home or hurt!!! I hope that they catch whoever did this!! Thinking of you!

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  24. How awful, Wendy! I'm glad everyone is okay!!

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  25. Wendy, I am so sorry!!! To have something happen like is absolutely terrifying... I'm just glad that no one was hurt. You and your husband will be in my prayers!

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  26. Wendy - I'm so sorry that happen to you! I'm glad though that you and husband and your furbabies were okay. I pray that you will managed to get things back soon :)

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  27. Oh Wendy--I'm so sorry that this happened to you and Anjin! I can't imagine the violation you must be feeling right now and I hope that you are able to move past it quickly (goodness...can't even imagine how long that might take). Glad you and the furbabies are OK, though!

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  28. Oh Wendy - how terrible! We once had an attempted break in and I remember feeling so violated. I was scared and then later angry that someone could take away my security and privacy that way.

    I am so grateful that the pets were not harmed. We kennel our dogs and I have often wondered if it would better to let them roam free (and possibly attack) or if they are safer left in their kennels.

    Cyber hugs go out to ALL of you!

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  29. That is so horrible and I'm so sorry that this happened! Thank goodness your animals are okay!

    I will send good thoughts your way - I hope that the police are able to recover everything for you!

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  30. Wendy, I'm so sorry this happened to you and your family. Hugs! How scary and awful. I'll keep you all in my prayers.

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  31. I'm so sorry to read this! =( At least the animals are okay - I can so easily imagine that going wrong too. =/ Hugs to you and your husband.

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  32. Oh no!!! So glad everyone was safe. What a horrible feeling.

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  33. Oh, how terribly frightening!! I am so glad you and your husband weren't home at the time! I remember coming home from a camping trip with my family when I was in Kindergarten and discovering our house had been broken into. I had terrible nightmares, worrying that the robbers would come back for more "loot."

    Sending good thoughts your way!

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  34. Wendy -

    I've seen a lot of comments about how something like this makes you feel but I didn't see any that offered you any sort of suggestions so, if I may -

    You should've been given the name of the Victim's Advocate in your area. There should be one. Keep in touch with them; they can help keep you current on what's going on with the case and all that. If and when they catch someone, they'll also notify you about things like trials.

    Give yourself time to recover. Don't do too much of the 'stiff upper lip' thing. I know your husband wants to protect you and you want to protect him but don't carry that too far.

    And finally, don't over look the idea of counseling. Seriously. It can help you regain your sense of balance and well-being, both of which you're going to need even more than normal.

    If you have questions, feel free to email me at cinjinn at hotmail dot com. I'm not an expert but I do have experience.

    cjh

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  35. Wendy this is absolutely horrible! I hope you guys are doing well and slowly getting back to normal, including the fur kids!

    It's just so sad when things like this happen. So glad no one was harmed. Take good care of yourself and sending some hugs your way!

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  36. So sorry about your situation. Am pleased you and your family are safe. Best wishes, Mog

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  37. SO sorry this happened to you! It's terrible. I have thought about how nuts it would make me if my computer was stolen. I hope it never happens.

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  38. Wendy, I am so sorry. I can't imagine what you're going through. I do give thanks that your pets (and you!) weren't hurt. I'll be thinking of you!

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  39. I'm so sorry to hear about this Wendy. I can't imagine what you have been going through. I know how I felt when my car was broken into and that was just my car! I hope you are feeling better now and that things have been quiet and uneventful at home.

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  40. Oh Wendy, I'm so sorry to hear this. I know how this feels. I hope you are feeling better and I'm glad no one (including pets) was physically hurt. Hugs.

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  41. Such a terrible thing to have happen to you, just glad your animals weren't harmed or let out to get lost.

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  42. Oh my God Wendy, I'm so sorry to hear this. Thank goodness you, your husband and the pets are all ok. The pets must have been so scared though. I just can't understand why people feel the need to do such things. I'm so glad you weren't at home. Please take care!

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  43. Wendy, I'm so sorry to hear that! I'm glad that you're not hurt, everyone's OK and your furkids are fine. I send you hugs from abroad...

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  44. I know I am VERY late to the game with this comment. But I'm so sorry, Wendy. That is really hard to deal with, but you're right- it could have been worse (cold comfort, I know). I am glad everyone is safe, though I'm sorry about all the data you lost :-( Hope something fantastic happens to balance the scale a bit!

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  45. Oh my goodness I just read this! That's so scary! Now I can't wait for you guys to move out! Do the police have any idea, probably not, hopefully you had some insurance.
    All I can say is thank god you weren't home. Safety is number one.
    YOu take care now, ok?

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  46. That's horrible! I'm sorry you have to go through all this. ((HUGS))

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  47. Thank you everyone for your supportive comments and well wishes. With everything else going on, this was the last thing we needed. We're managing though, and I hope to be back to blogging next week.

    It'll be awhile before I get back into the groove of visiting other blogs regularly. My computer time is limited even more now since I'm sharing a computer with my husband.

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  48. Oh my. I'm sorry that happened to you. Thankfully your kitties are safe and sound. All the best thoughts are being sent your way as you deal with a variety of life's highs and lows.

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  49. I am so sorry! It is such an invasion of privacy for someone to break into your home. I hope you have insurance can can replace your computer soon. I am going to back up my computer right now and learn that lesson from you.

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  50. Oh, Wendy, I am late reading this post, and I am so, so sorry. What a horror. 'Violated' is the word I hear most often that people feel when this happens. It is so frightening. I'm very thankful your animals were alright.

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  51. I'm obviously very behind. This is horrible! Not a good thing to happen at any time, especially when you are pregnant and have other stressful concerns going on! Hope things have gotten back to normal, Wendy.

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  52. I am really late too, but I am sorry to hear this news. There is not only the sense of violation but the inconvenience as well.

    Thanks for the timely reminder to do a backup.

    Sending hugs your way!

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