Nothing funny or brave about stealing
Have you maybe seen unfamiliar yard decorations around your house or even in your teenager's car or room?
If so, it could be mine. In the last week, I have had a plastic yard flamingo decorated with a small knit hat and scarf removed from my front yard. It was right next to my front door. It was there one evening and the next morning, it was gone.
The financial loss is very minimal. The sentimental value is worth much more to me. I had been given it many years ago by a very dear and kind friend. Every time that I went out the door or down the street, I saw the flamingo decoration and was reminded of my friend and her kindness. Now when I leave, I can only think of someone's thievery.
Parents, has your child returned with something that doesn't belong to him? I truthfully don't think that an adult would do something as mundane as stealing a plastic flamingo. Would a teenager/preteen do it? Yes, if they think they are being brave, being challenged or just being funny.
Too bad that my friends and I don't think it was brave, challenging, or funny. It was thievery plain and simple. It was wrong. It was and is a crime.
It upsets me when I think that I cannot try to have something nice outside my window to enjoy without having to worry about someone taking it. This isn't the first time that I have had something stolen from my yard. Last year, I had a pair of pink plastic flamingos stolen from my front yard also.
Whoever is stealing the items, is probably having a good time doing it; unfortunately, they don't think of the person they are stealing from.
The items alone aren't worth much, but the sentimental value is priceless to me if not anyone else. I just wish that when someone does something that they think are funny; please think twice how it is might upset the other person.
Shirley Kobler
Arlington Heights