The Purse

Daughter called last week to tell me she couldn't find her purse.

Of course, the first assumption is that it was left somewhere in all the excitement and just hasn't been retrieved. I think, though, she already knew the sad sort of affair this was, but didn't want to break it to me quite yet.

So, as I asked questions, where did you leave it?, what exactly was in your purse?, are you sure it wasn't just misplaced?, and so on...she patiently (for the most part) answered all my questions.

This purse was new, the wallet was a treasure she had saved her money for, the sunglasses were a "designer-too-expensive" purchase. Her phone, her license, her Walmart card (you don't leave home in Texas without it!), her ATM/Debit card, her truck keys, her house keys, and all her cash. Oh...and, her original birth certificate and social security card! Are you kidding me? Really? Yup. It's all gone.

So, after feeling my heart pound wildly, her brother and I went on a site that "locks" your identity just in case the little twit that stole the purse is smart enough to figure out how to steal her life, too. We suspended her phone so they can't make any calls to their friends across the ocean, and we've cancelled the ATM card and ordered her a new one.

The license was a challenge...you see, you have to be present to get a new license. Present in the state that you originally were issued that license. And, of course, you can't drive without one, but you live off campus and your school and work are on campus. What do you do?

Well, you are issued a "paper" license that you can only use out of state. As soon as we cross the California border with her, she can't drive until she gets her new one issued. Carrying a copy of the police report might bring you some grace, but let's not chance it.

There is something very "icky" about having your things taken. It feels like someone got in your personal space. She's had a tough week. Trying to be a sweet representative of the school for "Welcome Week", all the while wondering who was ugly enough to steal from you. (Another girl lost her purse at the same time)

I would ask you all simply pray for a sustaining measure of grace and peace for her as she deals with this little inconvenience, and gets on with the real task at hand...her Junior year.

After all, it was just "stuff"!

Blessings!