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Sept. 28, 2000 GUEST COLUMN This past weekend, my husband and I went out of town, leaving our two teenage daughters home alone. They are 16 and 17. Soon after we left, they had a party, inviting high school and recently graduated kids. Fifty or so of their closest friends came. When we returned home, we found a dirty carpet, torn up driveway, gutters ripped off the house and the umbrella of our picnic table snapped in half. The biggest surprise came when we realized that things were missing. These friends came into our home and stole from us. Although several of the items taken are valuable monetarily, they held greater sentimental value to us. My youngest daughter had two handmade quilts taken out of her room. Her grandmother made one and gave it to her for Christmas; the other was given to her 13 years ago. I had a red Sioux star pendalton blanket taken; this was a graduation present from my family for graduating from nursing school. Also taken was my green K2 DART snowboard and heel side boots. These friends rummaged through our bedroom, taking a hand-carved wooden jewelry box, which had been given to me when I was 15. The article whose theft caused the most distress was a diamond ring in the jewelry box. My mother had given me the diamond ring that my father gave her when they were married. My father died as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. I had the ring reset; it is about 3/4 carat rectangle, with two small slivers all inlaid in a gold band. My wedding band and a gold chain tennis bracelet were also in the jewelry box, along with many pairs of earrings. A limited edition print for the Durango Repertory, "Looking into Eternity" (signed #16), was also taken. I blame my daughters for what happened, but cannot believe that teenagers have such little respect for others. The police have been notified and a list of all those attending the party has been provided them. My goal is to recover as many of the items as possible, and no questions will be asked if they are simply returned. I feel very sad that I can’t trust my daughters’ friends in my home any longer. |
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