Module 2: RESPECT OTHERS

(Page 24) Resource sheet 3

YOU CAN’T LET THEM GET INTO YOUR LIFE

Margaret Hill returned with her husband Bob from a New Year holiday to find their home had been burgled.

"We drew into the drive and our neighbour was standing there crying," recalls Margaret. "She told us someone had been in our house."

"It was dreadful - the thieves had taken a knife to my new three-piece suite and bed and slashed them to pieces. Everything else was dumped in the middle of the floor....

"They took two televisions, a music centre, the word processor, a camera and jewellery that had been left to me by Bob's mum. They also slashed the covers of all his suits in the wardrobe. Why on earth would anyone do that?" asks Margaret incredulously.

"They'd obviously been in the house a long time because they had helped themselves to beer and had used my ornamental china mug for coffee.... It still hurts to talk about it.

"I wish I could have been angry like my husband," explains Margaret. "I just kept on thinking 'Was it someone we know?' I don't think I have had a good night's sleep since, although I feel better now we have a burglar alarm.

"I also asked the local parish priest to re-bless the house to get rid of the awful feeling the thieves left behind.... I didn't want them to drive me from my home. I'm happier now, but I'm more vigilant than I used to be. These people come into your home, but you can't let them get into your life."

(From Woman's Own)