To whomever broke in and robbed us while we slept the night of June 12th—
I’m really scared that we were sound asleep in a private residence while you pried and squeezed your way through locked French doors and back out again—and in a country with 400 million guns on the ground, it terrifies me to think what could have happened if you had woken us up and we had stumbled out, half asleep, and found you there with our belongings in your hands. Who knows—maybe the earplugs we were wearing to block out the noises of the air conditioning and the Quarter saved our lives that night.
I am so angry that we have to replace so many things, and some expensive things, too. And I’m so torn up about the irretrievable song ideas and writing I had been working on since we left home. And you made off with a bunch of cash that we worked our asses off to earn. And every hour for the first couple of days, in pangs of sorrow and rage, I remembered yet another thing that is now forever out of my reach—my datebook planner, and all the handwritten notes in it; my COVID vaccination card; my Charlie Brown Christmas cloth mask; my favorite cloth napkin from Ten Thousand Villages; my little birding binoculars; the laminated four leaf clover given to me a few years ago by a fan after a show in New Jersey; the tiny composition notebook and pencil I used for communication when I had laryngitis back in 2019; one of my old Maine driver’s licenses, depicting a 20-something-year-old-me, one of the very few photos I had of that period in my life.
I’m also really disappointed with myself for being as upset as I am about material things. Our situation could be so much worse—Shawn or I could be fighting for life, just as our friend Leslie’s husband is at this very moment in a New Orleans hospital after being shot in a home invasion last month.
Most of all, though, I’m just really heartbroken—not just for our losses, but for you and for the world that you and I share.
That heartbreak led me to this place of curiosity, and I started to wonder if you’re a young kid, trying to prove yourself to older peers, or if you’re a junkie, desperate to feed your addiction.
I get that. My life has been touched in some way by these things, too. I shoplifted a few times when I was in junior high, trying to appear cool to a group of kids that I briefly thought I wanted to be part of. I grew up with an alcoholic parent, and I struggled with my own drinking until I gave it up in 1997. And I’ve experienced a brief brush with the horrors of opioid addiction, once when I had my wisdom teeth out in 2001, and again when I had a kidney stone in 2003. I didn’t even enjoy the feeling of the hydrocodone or the oxy, but some part of me craved each one terribly. It’s the way I’m wired. I can’t even keep potato chips in the house.
Believe me, though, it took me a while to find and remember this place of empathy. In the hours after we woke up that Monday morning, I was pacing around, trembling, jumping at every little unfamiliar noise, yelling at you, swearing, calling you names. Because I was angry and scared. And sometimes I still am.
And still—I wish you well. With all my heart, racing as it is, I do. I really do.
And I wonder if you’d laugh at this or roll your eyes. I wonder if you’d call me a fool or an easy mark. I get that, too. It sounds like some bullshit, right? ‘Hey, person who robbed me—I want you to be happy.’
But I really do wish this. I want the same things for you that I want for myself, and for every person on this planet—to be well and safe and free from suffering.
I am also really grateful, too. I’m typing these words on a device that you didn’t steal along with the rest. We are now in a safe, secure place with full bellies and our instruments and the means to continue on. We’ve been in close contact nearly constantly with friends and family who have been offering unconditional love and support.
And this feeling of gratitude, of knowing that there are people who have our backs no matter what—I really do know how lucky we are to have that. And I really want you to have that, too.
Believe it or not, I don’t want to punish you. Yes, I called the cops, because I was angry and scared—and really, I just want our stuff back. But if the cops figure out that you did this, they will punish you.
And please know this—this world you and I live in right now, where you have to steal shit to meet your needs and I have to call people with guns who want to put you in a cage to meet my needs—this is not the world I want. I want a world where justice is about restoration and not retribution, where everyone works with whatever skills they have toward a world where no one has a reason to steal from anyone ever again.
And I am willing to bet that this is the same world you want, too.
In time, we will replace many of the things that you took from us. Some, of course, are gone forever. And yeah, for some terrifying hours, you shattered our sense of safety and security, and our hope. But we still have our lives, our empathy, and our willingness to continue working towards that better world. And in a life so short and precious, those really are the only things I want.
I admire your strength
I fear I don’t have the same empathy
Believe me, I understand where you’re coming from. It’s good to hear from you. ❤️
So sorry to hear about this awful experience. Thank God you are both ok. Willing to help in any way I can!
Thank you George! I really appreciate that. ❤️
I am heartbroken. You generosity, kindness, support and love that you show daily should shield you from this. We all know that it doesn’t. I am truly sorry this happened to you.
Oh… thank you Heidi. ❤️
You showed the personhood of all of us humans, and I hope it will be read by some who might be headed in that wrong direction.
I hope so too. Thank you Edie! ❤️
This is beautiful❣️ Awww Heather, I am so glad you are in my life! I only wish I met you sooner upon my arrival in the MWV😘
Thank you Nora! And I am so glad you’re in my life! ❤️ ❤️
Ooooh.
I just read this after firing off my note a few mins ago. Feeling sorry for what the sneak thief burglars did. It robs one of more than worldly goods. Its robs of the sense of security which is more valuable. I would, for myself, not diminish the loss of material things. They are not valuable for their intrinsic worth but rather for personal meaning.
And losing that book -wow. Happened to me once (it wasn’t a theft but rather an accidental leave-behind) – it was my newsman’s collection of course names and phone numbers collected over a number of years. So, I rebuilt it and kept the rebuild close for decades until I retired. And then some more for sentimental reasons. I still have the phone number for the little room at the top of the Washington Monument, unless they have changed the number.
Here’s a guess…. If too much time has not elapsed….start walking around the block and check trash cans and sewer grates (no, don’t pry them up, it isn’t good for your backs or likely to be productive. What they stole wasn’t of monetary value and is likely to have been be quickly discarded.
Xoxoxo
(written quickjly, not proof read. I suck at typing so pls forgive the many likely typos)
Joel Albert
Jralbert37@gmail.com
Aw, thank you Joel. Shawn did have a look around the immediate neighborhood for his backpack and the contents… no dice. See you very soon. ❤️
I truly admire your values in humanity and justice. We all need to aspire to these higher ideals. Thanks for being a quality role model.
Thank you so much, Ann! ❤️
I love you Heather. You are such a beautiful person and soul. No one can take that away from you. And you give us all strength. Very sorry to hear this. What a sad thing to go through but your survival is what I am grateful for. You shine like a precious gem!
Oh Mary I love you too, so much! Thank you!! ❤️
I am so grateful you both are safe but truly sad that life is tragic that people feel that they can take whatever they want and go about life with no remorse! Every day we see how people continue to make living a tragedy!! Please stay safe and well & continue your positive attitude towards enjoying our country with your amazing talent!! Love to you always 💞💞
Thank you Jamie! To me, the tragedy is what necessitates the robbery, not the robbery itself. Everyone is doing what they can to survive, and desperate people do desperate things. I want that world where no one has to rob anyone! All that said, I really appreciate your love and care, and I hope everything is well with you! Love back to you always ❤️
So, so sorry, Heather. The empathy in your response is touching… inspiring, actually. We all want the world you describe. Thank you for putting it so eloquently. Our best to you and Shawn.
Thank you both so much! ❤️❤️
Sorry you guys had to go through this Heather! They say Karma will prevail and I hope it does!! God was with you that night making sure you were not hurt!! I don’t know what I would do if I ever go through something like this-hoping I could keep a cool head !! Always remember “If God takes you to it, He will take you through it!” Always remember you have your music wherever you go❤️❤️
Thank you Darlene, I’m sad that this happened too and it certainly has been challenging. My hope is that we can all work towards a world where there is no karma, no struggle for reward and punishment, where things like theft are completely unnecessary. It’s good to hear from you, and I hope all is well with you! ❤️
Heather and Shawn
I’m glad you were not physically hurt; emotionally is another story! Your sense of security as taken a beating and I hope you both will be ok! If I can help you in any way let me know!
Thank you Amy. It sure has been a challenging week. I’m very comforted by the care that has come from so many, including you! Lots of love to you! ❤️
Dear Heather,
I am so sorry that this happened and that you experienced it. You’re such a trusting and beautiful and generous and heart-feeling person, and even if you can be sensitive to the bigger systemic things that lead to this kind alienated/alienating act, it is still a violation.
I am glad that you are both safe. And I’m so sorry for the precious things lost, possessions and objects, and a sense of safety in this human world. I hope they will be restored.
Warmly and with such appreciation for all you bring to the world,
Carol
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