What a Thief Really Steals

I was robbed. Nothing of any value really, but the thief took something that was mine and now it is his. I kept a small compass in my office. I like compasses, they symbolize many things for me like finding your way. Monday I noticed it was gone. I know I saw it a few days earlier so the thief did the caper recently.



Anger welled up inside me. Someone thought so little of me, they took one of my possessions for their own. Their desire to possess a $5 or $10 compass was stronger than their respect for my autonomy. To make matters worse, it was more than likely a patient. Someone I am trying to help stole from me.



I may be idealistic, but I am not naive. I realize there are a lot of people who have absolutely no problem whatsoever taking things that are not theirs. Many of our patients have stolen things from their own families for drugs and other reasons. Still, when I am a victim of theft, I get pretty pissed off.



Some would make excuses for the thief. "They had hard childhoods and poor examples . . . They grew up in poverty and do not understand why they cannot afford nice things. . ." I think that is BS. One insults those who are poor or who have had difficult childhoods to equate such things with larceny. People know what is right and what is wrong. They choose to steal and there are absolutely NO excuses.



Beyond all of this, the thief makes off with more than material goods. The thief causes spiritual damage. The victim becomes less trusting and more jaded. Instead of opening up to people, the victim closes himself off to avoid further victimization.



So Mr. Thief, whoever you are, use the compass to find your direction. A compass is an instrument to help lost individuals find their way - may it guide you to higher values and a greater respect for your fellow man. Perhaps the needle will point you in the direction of a conscience. I hope each time you look at the compass, you will remember your poor choice and low standard for yourself. May this memory inspire you to be a better person and may you somehow make this up by doing some good for another human being.



If not, I hope you get busted the next time you steal something and wind up sharing a cell with a guy who weighs 450 lbs and answers to the name Tiny. I hope he has "that look in his eye," where you are concerned and I further hope he will take something from you - again and again and night after night. Sleep well Mr Thief, sleep well.



Until the next time

John Strain

Higher Learning May Be Taking Place

JOHN LEARNS FIRST LESSON

"

Dad, mom gave me the wrong dishwashing soap and it flooded our kitchen.

"

I wasn't going to talk about my son for a while, but this stuff is just too good to pass up. I have talked about my pet peeves about someone not replacing the toilet paper roll before. When we got back from Baton Rouge on Friday, I went to the hall bathroom to relieve myself. The hall bathroom is the one John used. I glanced down for proper aim and noticed an empty toilet paper roll. I didn't change it. It was kind of comforting in a weird way.



Sunday about 5:00 PM John called me on my cell phone. "Dad," he said, "mom gave me the wrong dishwashing liquid and it flooded the kitchen." I started laughing because only the day before, he called me to find out how to work the dishwasher. I went through the long distance inservice and explained how to put soap in it and blah, blah, blah. What I did not know, was John was not putting Cascade in the dishwasher, he was using regular liquid dishwashing liquid. The result was a Lawrence Welk Show reenactment. He had suds everywhere and had to clean it up. I had visions of Lucy and a few other sit coms which covered this circumstance over the years. What was even funnier to me was John was not laughing.







So I figured this would be a funny thing to post about. Checking out Google for a photo of an overflowing dishwasher was not difficult. The funny thing about the photo above is it was on a Penn State student's homepage. I guess it is common to overflow dishwashers with bubbles in college. Check out the girl's homepage. There are a lot of photos showing college kids drinking and being typical college students. It cracked me up.

Mark Twain

"

When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years.

"

Lesson #2: John called on Friday evening to tell me that he and Roy did some grocery shopping. "Man, groceries are expensive," he said, "I bought $75 worth of stuff and I didn't get anything." College is going to be good for this boy. He is already learning some important stuff.



Yes, it looks like John will be realizing a few things. Life is good to teach us that those who have gone on before knew a few things. The longer I live, the more respect I have for those who have been there ahead of me. I always did try to learn from the mistakes of others. I listen to advice, because I do not want to repeat other's mistakes, but other's successes.



There are more things to learn at college than what they teach in the classroom and John is getting a crash course.



Until the next time

John Strain

Emptying the Nest

Here are some photos of the move to Baton Rouge. I will post a story to go along with them later today. Thanks to Mandarin Design for the photo display code.

6:30 AM Loaded up and heading to Baton Rouge

John says goodbye to his brother

Mom takes a break

The new denizens of apartment 1737

Our family on the threshold of a new day

Weekly Replay: A Father Reflects

First posted November 4, 2003, this post describes feelings I often feel. On one hand, there is gratitude for wonderful times. On the other hand, there are feelings of sadness these times are gone. My conclusion is to be aware and live the life we have with gusto.

Text version of "A Father Reflects"



Until the next time

John Strain

Fortunate Son

Today is the big move to Baton Rouge. I will be horsing golf bags, tv's, and stereo speakers to the third floor of a pretty nice apartment complex. Compared to my first college living quarters, John will be living in opulence. Let the journey begin. What fun and excitement to be on a college campus with your whole life ahead of you.



I have thought about the empty nest and what this transition means. I have wondered about how it will effect my life. Yesterday, I saw people who would love to be experiencing the empty nest syndrome. As a matter of fact, I talk to them every day. I am referring to parents of patients. These are folks who will never go to college. In reality, these parents just hope their daughters and sons avoid disaster. Their parenting has taken them in and out of hospitals, group homes, and jails. They love their children and are proud of them, but they must stay vigilant and ever ready to help them out of one problem after another. They do this usually without thanks or appreciation from their offspring. Their parental love clings to their children without reciprocity.



How lucky am I? How fortunate have I and my son been?



But for the grace of God go I and that goes for you too.



Until the next time

and counting my lucky stars

John Strain