"On A Stolen Purse"

It was midday, and the heat was kicking in, the weatherman's prediction of temperatures up into the 90's proving to be accurate.  My trusty lawnmower and I were trying to beat the heat, getting the lawns for the day taken care of, so I could escape to the cool of my house.  The little workhorse of a truck has no A/C and, if I close everything up while I'm working, it's like an oven when I get into it.  I had found a convenient place to unload the mower, in an alley.  The wide open windows were a clear invitation saying, "Take me."  

It only took a split second for me to realize my purse was gone.  In my 69 years I cannot remember having the experience of theft--until now.  Everything in my mind countered what I saw with my eyes.  I think that is what the word surreal must feel like.  I found myself searching for that purse in places I have never put it before, as though it had legs of its own and walked off.  Then the mind began playing tricks on me:  Had I left it at home and just thought it was in the truck?  Was I experiencing an "old-timer's moment?"  In reconstructing my day, which included a gas purchase and taking my glasses out of my purse, I was able to pinpoint the theft to Lincoln Alley.  Today, less than 24 hours later, reality has sunk in.  Someone reached into my pickup and stole my purse along with its contents.

Having one's purse taken is not the end of the world, and I do not purport that to be so.  It did shake me, though.  There was an initial reaction of anger and vindictiveness as well, but  once that wore off I came back to a basic tenet within me. Point and purpose in all things--I do believe that.  Do I have a clue, any understanding, any insight?  Nope, I don't.  I will, however, continue on with my life.  This may or may not ever make any sense to me, but that does not negate that basic principle.

As the shock wore off, and I began to gather my senses about me, a list of "things I am grateful for" began to form.  I am grateful I did not have my car keys in my purse;  sometimes I do, but this time they were in another place.  What a headache that would have created.  My phone was not taken.  In addition, there is a stack of checks from recent invoicing  left on my kitchen counter.  It is not unusual for me to put such checks in my purse and deposit them on my way home from work.  They are usually endorsed but, on occasion, I wait until I am at the drive-through to do that.  I don't want to even mentally go down that road.  Adding to my list is the fact I had no cash, and I am enrolled in an identity theft service.  They are monitoring any unusual activity with the Social Security card--money well spent.

All credit card and bank accounts have been closed, debit cards cancelled.  A police report has been filed, and I have determined from on-line sites what needs to be done in dealing with a stolen Social Security card and driver's license.  Yes, I broke the cardinal rule and carried my Social Security card in my wallet.  It was my original, issued when I was a kid working in the fields, more sentimental than functional, nevertheless valid and a potential gold mine for a thief.  I need to stop by the DMV and replace my driver's license today.  I will as soon as I figure out how I am going to pay for it with no blank check, credit cards, or a debit card.  :)  

Oh, yes--the stolen purse and the billfold were ancient.  No loss there.  Life is good.