Stealing…Is
it ever justified or are there reasons it might be forgiven? While riding up
Dayton Boulevard today and just past Melissa’s house; Cole’s bicycle was
spotted lying against a brick wall next to the doorway of an apartment. Austin
and Cole’s bikes had been stolen a few days ago. Melissa was furious. We drove
to the police station to alert them as to what was going on, and to get some
help getting the bike back. We followed the officer back to the apartment where
the bike was still propped against the wall. There was a young boy sitting on
the steps of the apartment with his hands folded across his knees. He remained seated
while Melissa and the police officer got out of the cars and walked to where
the bike stood. The officer asked the boy if the bike was his. He said, “No,
Chris stole it.” At that time, the officer asked, “Is that the only bike Chris
stole?” The boy replied, “No, he stole an orange bike but took the wheels off
and threw the frame in the creek.” Melissa was very upset and knew that Austin
would be disappointed when he discovered that Cole’s bike was the only one that
would be recovered. Needless to say…Chris was never found and the boy changed
his story several times. The officer talked to a neighbor. She told him that
the boy and his brother were left home alone most of the time and that she
often fed them because they had no food in the house. Hearing this news made me
sad. It had me questioning the reason behind their motive for stealing the
bikes. Was he/they bored? Did he just want a bike? Had his mother taught him
that it was wrong to steal? With no one to supervise him throughout the day,
was he just doing something to occupy his time?
Stealing…justified?
No. Can the boy and/or his brother be forgiven? Of course. Leaving there with
the boy and his older brother sitting on the steps of the apartment complex, I
began to feel empathetic for the lives that they had become so accustomed to
living. Why did I want to go to the grocery store and buy them a refrigerator full
of food? They just stole my grandkids bikes! Maybe just maybe, if someone did
some nice deed for them, they would transfer this good deed into making good
decisions in the future. I pulled out of the parking lot looking at them in my
rear view mirror while I was filled with sadness, not hate. Maybe I will take
them a burger tomorrow.
Steve
Webb cut our grass today. He spent an extra 30 minutes picking up the clutter
of kids toys that decorated the back yard. Mandy often tries to pick things up
before he arrives, but today he caught us off guard. He usually comes on Friday’s.
Melissa,
Austin, Cole, Brandi, Kalel, and Lilly visited for a while just before Austin
and Cole’s final game of the baseball tournament. They lost but have had a
great time learning to play ball their first season. Grace and I went to her
swim meet. We won! 4 more swim meets and our season is over as well. Madi came
home after the swim meet and will be spending the night with Grace. They swam
until 10:30 and got ready for bed. They should sleep well. Little David visited for a while then went to
his apartment on Duncan Avenue.
9
visitors today, 239 in all.
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