12/27/23 ROBBERS AT CHRISTMAS

12/27/23 ROBBERS AT CHRISTMAS

Robbers at Christmas... Pretty low.
While finishing their Christmas shopping about fifty years ago, someone stole all of the gifts from the car of my sister-in-law and brother-in-law.

Almost forty years ago, when we lived in River Heights, someone broke into a neighbors home and stole all of their Christmas gifts from under their tree.
It is always sad to hear about someone being robbed, especially during a time of celebration.
But some robberies are much more disturbing and devastating than these two examples.

There are people who have lost loved ones to a tragic accident at Christmas time, and more tragic because it was caused by a drunk driver.

Some folks have bid a final farewell from the side of a hospital bed, to a dear relative, because of a physical malady. Certainly they will relive that moment every Christmas after that loss.

Children have had a parent suddenly walk away from them, their home, their family, their lives, while Christmas songs were being played on the radio.

Parents have received the unexpected bad news that their child had just died in a military action, and realized they would never welcome them home for another Christmas.

The devil is a murderer and thief. But sometimes the robbery does not look as tragic. It comes when broken relationships separate families, marriages, parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren. The tragedy is compounded when it takes place because of selfishness, because of toxic attitudes, because of pride, because someone will not listen to reason.

Their is no death notice, no final goodbye's, no lines of communication left open. The loss comes suddenly and irrevocably, leaving a missing part and emptiness that will not be filled.

As the years have passed, I have seen many a home robbed of love, joy, peace, unity. I have seen people who have given their best to their loved ones, but in the end they are abandoned, without any remorse.
The only thing that can be done is move on. If it isn't your fault, you can't fix it.