I’ve always prided myself in having a high level of faith in the basic goodness of folks. But occasionally, if you trust too much, it will bite you in the a**.
I rolled into Ranchcrest, CA late in the day. There was only $15 difference between a motel and the local RV Park. Mostly I was worn out and wanted to avoid setting up and taking down the pop up for one night. The cost became greater than $15. In the morning, my second tote of clothes was gone from the back of my truck. Within feet of my motel room door. I even thought at one point to bring it in but didn’t. I mean I was backed right up to my room.
To be fair, the value of what was in there wouldn’t make a decent Schedule A deduction. The most valuable items were my Patagonia long johns. 🙂 My favorite caps were in there and a favorite blue Northface light jacket. All of the stocking caps I brought (which I’m gonna need), including my favorite which was hand knit. It was featured in an earlier picture of me. You know, the dumb one with the pipe. Oh yeah, that one. It’s just stuff, but my Cubs hat and my green Boston Red Sox hat were reminders of very memorable days. My backpack was in the bottom.
My sense of violation was not placated by my prayer, “God, help me believe that the person who took my tote needs the clothes more than I do.” The bitter truth is that this person took this tote without even knowing what was in it. They took it just because they could.
My anger and frustration began to wane with a great drive up over Walker Pass in the Sierras and the angel voice of Caitlin Taussig in my CD player. I went through two funky little mountain towns on the shore of Lake Isabella, a large and beautiful mountain lake. I stopped in the sun for awhile and just listened to the deafening rush of the Kern River dropping 3000 feet in about ten miles. I began to let go, but I will have to buy a stocking cap before I return to camping in the mountains, and the other little reminders are sure to continue to come for awhile.
I’m lonesome but I’m happy, I’m rich but I’m broke. And the good Lord knows the reason I’m just a cowpoke. Caitlin Taussig
This reminds me of my nephew Micheal Mosser, he worked at APP a few summers, now a Duke grad working for the Navy in D.C. as a high level Nuclear something (above my head) and one of his hobbies is knitting (Still above my head). A year ago or so he had his backpack stolen from his car. Now image the criminals face when they open up the backpack hoping for maybe a laptop, a phone or cash, but only to find Micheal’s kitting supplies. Micheal’s wish they would at least finish the scarf for him and return it when done.
A large unexpected Lenten offering, that will be a possible sacrifice long after this Lent. I know you don’t hold on to stuff, so that helps the journey. I also know if anyone would of asked you for those things you would of gladly given them. So sorry for the violation of heart ?
Eric, we are sorry that your possessions have been stolen from you. It is a violation for sure. We miss you and pray for your safety. God bless.
Hey, Eric, I am (sadly) assuming you can’t get near Tioga Pass with all the snow and tough road conditions–that was my favorite place in Yosemite in the summer of 1970! (The valley was still filled with the glacier then–nah! just kidding! It’s a grand place, that Yosemite! Did you ever notice how anything of supreme natural beauty in California always means a long drive up some mountain?
Anyway, shame on me for not thanking you for your text while I was away on the recent Men’s Cursillo retreat–I only checked my phone in early morning and late night, but your “note” came at the perfect time, assuring me that, as always, all would be well on the Weekend. And it was!