Can you believe someone approached mom RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY OWN HOUSE and in broad daylight? I hate to say it, but as much as the holidays bring good cheer, it also brings the crazies out. You know what I mean…people driving around looking to steal packages on the porch, breaking into your cars and, the one that hits home, taking advantage of elderly people.
Close Call
Mom was out gardening in the middle of the day. We were all home. I was actually baking my pies for Thanksgiving Day. Well, I certainly had a lot to be thankful for that week.
A lady came out of a car and called mom to come over to her. Mom thought it was one of my friends, but needless to say, it wasn’t. This stranger started to ask mom questions, but mom said she didn’t understand English (Cantonese is her first language). Then, get this, she got closer to mom and started feeling around her neck.
Mom had on a high crew neck sweatshirt. And just what do you think she was doing? I am almost certain that this strange lady was feeling for jewelry!!! Oddly enough, mom was wearing her 18k gold heirloom necklace with her beautiful jade heart pendant.
Why this incompetent predator could not feel mom’s necklace under her shirt was a blessing! I got a two-fer blessing…mom didn’t get robbed and she didn’t get hurt. As soon as mom told me the story, I dashed out like a madwoman looking for some kind of clue or any suspicious couple driving up or down my street and around the neighborhood. I was ready to take down any license plate number.
I felt so violated for mom. What kind of people take advantage of elderly people? It makes me sick. Now, she can’t do her daily walk without fear or even garden out front. The two things that she really enjoys the most in her day. It keeps her mind healthy and her heart beating. They may not have taken here jewelry, but they took away her sense of security.
Enlist Neighbors
Once I simmered down, I texted our neighbor, Jackie, across the street to ask if she had seen the interaction but she did not. I informed her of mom’s incident, and we agreed we’d keep an eye out. We always look out for one another as it is, but she was taken by this. And, because mom has memory loss, she may not remember the incident or remember not to go out by herself anymore, so I’ve asked Jackie and her family to let me know if they see mom out alone.
Alert Your Neighbors
When things like this happen in your neighborhood, take time to reach out via social media to let your neighbors know so they can also be on alert, especially if they are also caring for their elderly parents that live with them or near them. I posted mom’s incident on the Nextdoor app. for our neighborhood. Since then, I’ve gotten a lot of responses regarding similar happenings around our area. Now I’ve got eyes everywhere! LOL! Find out what your local social media sites are so you can reach out to your neighbors. Although the holidays can bring out the worst in some, I still believe it brings out the best in most. I just count my blessings that mom is safe.
Safety in Numbers
It’s that good old golden rule of safety in numbers. I hoped in sharing my story on the Nextdoor app that we would all be mindful to not walk alone. Maybe someone has an elderly neighbor that lives alone that they can show concern for. I hope it makes us come together as a community in keeping all around us safe, no matter who you are. Let’s pay it forward and take care of one another. When one person isn’t safe, we all aren’t safe.
I love our neighborhood. We can walk to everything…grocery stores, restaurants, shops and our local park. Kids can safely ride their bikes, scooters, and skateboards all around. It angers me that someone can make us feel so vulnerable in such a lovely area. But the reality is, it can happen anywhere and at any time. We do our best to live our lives out without fear and not let fear keep us from enjoying all the best things in our lives. Let’s not let fear harden us and keep us from sharing with others. Let’s continue to be loving, be kind and be careful as we watch out for one another during the holiday season. We can be thankful for what we have and be compassionate to others whose circumstances lake love, kindness and warmth.