Long days ago
upon ice and snow
the moving box rolled.
Bound for a town
set far from the old
were boxes with treasures
as precious as gold.
Cradling the treasures
tied fast with string
each brown box now loaded
with treasures secured -
‘til all could be placed
inside the new space.
For twenty-four only,
the moving box, lonely,
sat solid in place –
fit well in its space –
asleep for the night
while awaiting morn’s light.
Shadows of evil
stole through the dark
searching for outlets
for talons to gain
while causing great pain.
When morning light broke
she arose and spoke
a pleasant good day
before breaking away
to drive the orange van
to the new space.
Soon there were tears
wetting her face
as police were phoned
to the lot where truck was
but no longer called home.
All was now gone.
Years of straight living
of loving and giving
of laughing and crying
of losing those dying
were stolen away.
The evil had conquered
By stealing that day
a moving box full
of her every day.
Photos and memories;
files and poems;
every possession
that made home her own.
Of course you wonder WHY. You wonder whether you could have done something more to have made the van safer during the night. The police tell you that you did everything right, but you aren’t feeling that you did. You purchased the “Safe Move” that UHAUL offers persons who rent moving vans from them. It isn’t insurance, but will cover any eventuality of van and cargo loss during the move while your renters insurance is not in effect – except for theft. Who would have guessed that everything you owned that was packed in your rented van parked in a secure spot in front of your daughter’s lake front home for only one night – only for seven unattended hours – would be stolen? What would the thieves want with your sparse furnishings and personal clothing, photos, files, writings, and mementos?
The wrecked van was recovered three days later about 80 miles away. My padlock was still in place; unable to cut it off the thieves used a crowbar to break into the overhead door of the vehicle in order to access the items inside. The van was completely emptied. I have no reason to expect to recover any of my possessions. I have accepted this reality.
I wasn’t certain that I wanted to talk of this incident; I did not wish to be the recipient of misunderstandings regarding my free-spirit life style. Then, I thought, “Who in the heck do I think I am? I live in the world and this is a reality of living in the world. Maybe someone else can benefit from my experience.” My family has been wonderful in supporting me through this loss. The daughter and son-in-law where I slept the night of the theft have supplied me with everything I need to be comfortable until I can recover. .
It is my belief that every event in life happens for a reason, and that there is a lesson from each challenge in life. I am certain that I will be learning from this incident for some time…after all, I was an insurance investigator for the State of Arizona. I feel a responsibility to tell as many persons as I can that they must make certain their cargos are covered for ALL eventualities of loss during a move.
I offer the following reflection that was born from this incident.
HOPE
Each day the sun rises
To offer grand bounty
Awake in the universe.
That same globe sets
For those who are blind -
Who choose to not see -
Who choose to not live.
Challenges race daily
To break our resistance –
To weaken our spirit –
To destroy our goals.
Perhaps smiles will fade
As furrows appear
While we ponder options
To break or to grow.
If not an asset
Each walk is a chore.
If we do not soar
We create a lie
That shrieks we must die
In compost of pain,
While eyes one time blinded
See light beyond light -
No filters shadow
The truths beyond truth.
To smile from a knowing
Within turbulent swirls
Creates fertile ground
Where wisdom abounds
Within she who rebuts
Good over ill.
Each day the sun rises.
Each day is renewed.
Bounteous options bring hope.
Mary Jane Huckleberry © 2008
