Something awful happened to my family
By dragon54u
@dragon54u (31636)
United States
October 4, 2017 1:27pm CST
On Monday I got into my little lock box to get something and found out, to my horror, that my gun was missing. Yes, I'm a gun owner but I keep it locked away and the magazine is on the top shelf of my closet, unloaded, and the ammunition is on another shelf. Or was. All is gone, as is my rifle. The lock box had been forced open in a way that was not immediately obvious. My silver and gold coins my mother left me are gone, as is her gold high school ring from 1942, the one pair of gold earrings I had, the one gold ring I bought myself, the guitar I was saving for my granddaughter, the other guitar I've treasured for years, and a lot of other things.
The good news is that I no longer have to worry about protecting anything valuable. That is kind of a relief. The bad news is that my son stole those things to sell for drugs. I have evicted him and his wife, made a police report and unfortunately found out that renter's insurance does not cover theft by fellow residents.
I wish I could get my mom's class ring back. I hate losing what little pieces of her I have left after her death a few years ago. I hate that my son would do this to me. I was the last of his family that would help him. I used to have two sons, now I only have one left. The person inside my son's body is a stranger, it's not the beloved one that I raised and treasured.
Has anything like this ever happened to you? Have you ever given up on your child?
31 people like this
16 responses
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
4 Oct 17
Sadly this has happened to me as well. I didn't call the authorities to report the theft though. Wasn't enough to report. However, it did make me mad as a wet hen. I no longer allow certain people to come visit us anymore.
I never give up on my family. As long as they are living, there is hope. Just have to keep the faith. You love them no less. You just can't tolerate their deceitful behavior.
6 people like this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
5 Oct 17
@ElusiveButterfly Thank you, my friend. You just made me smile and warmed my heart.
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
5 Oct 17
@dragon54u we will be fine with the love and support of our friends.
2 people like this
@Happy2BeMe (99399)
• Canada
4 Oct 17
So sorry this happened to you. I know it must be very difficult for you to be going through what you are with your son. It is hard when you get to the point where you have to give up on them. I hope someday he straightens his life out. I am blessed that i have had to go through anything like this.
4 people like this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
4 Oct 17
Thank you. I've tried to help him for years but I think I lost my real son long before that.
3 people like this
@Happy2BeMe (99399)
• Canada
4 Oct 17
@dragon54u yes it is sad when that happens. I have seen what it does to people I have loved but thankful it wasn't my children. You did all you could do.
3 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (45437)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
4 Oct 17
Oh dear! 
JJ gave you good advice: prosecute him. Once the police are involved, will you be able to get the items back?
JJ gave you good advice: prosecute him. Once the police are involved, will you be able to get the items back?1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (45437)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
4 Oct 17
@dragon54u Glad you still have contact with all the kids. Many grands often don't.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
4 Oct 17
@BarBaraPrz He lost custody of her when he and his wife divorced. He is now remarried to a woman who had a toddler when he met her and they have a baby together. The children were taken, the son in February and the new baby girl directly from the hospital in June. His first wife met someone wonderful who has a daughter just a year older than my granddaughter and they just had a beautiful baby boy. My granddaughter is in good hands and I consider the other daughter and the new baby my grandchildren, too.
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
9 Oct 17
So sad! I went through a rough time with my children and step-children in their teen years but glad they all got back on track and are all doing well.
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
9 Oct 17
@dragon54u I don't know whether I can take any credit but I was there through their rough days of errors and rebellion.
@sallypup (57723)
• Centralia, Washington
7 Oct 17
@dragon54u There are support groups out there. Leaning on such people would do them and you a lot of good.
1 person likes this
@just4him (305510)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
7 Oct 17
I'm sorry he did that to you. Can the police help you recover anything of what he stole? I have never given up on my children. I do have one son who has stolen from me in the past, but that was a long time ago and he doesn't do that anymore.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
7 Oct 17
I have to give up until he helps himself, I have done all that a human being can do for him. Whatever happens, I don't have to feel I could have done more. They found a couple of things and eventually I'll get them back. Unfortunately, they say my mom's ring is probably melted down by now. Jail and mandatory treatment is the best thing for him right now.
1 person likes this
@just4him (305510)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
7 Oct 17
@dragon54u I'm sorry your mother's ring is lost to you. Jail and treatment is probably the best thing for him.
@snowy22315 (169619)
• United States
5 Oct 17
That is terrible to hear. Maybe the ring will show up at a local pawn shop.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
5 Oct 17
I'm hoping so. I'll start checking next week, I talked to the one he's been dealing with and they suggested I come in next week. None of us know if he pawned them or sold them to individuals nor the day he did it so starting next week is a good bet.
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
10 Oct 17
Thank you. I pray that this kind of thing never happens to you or your family members!
@JamesHxstatic (29234)
• Eugene, Oregon
5 Oct 17
No, thank goodness! I am sorry that your son seems incorrigeable now to the point that he stole from even you.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
5 Oct 17
It's not the things that bother me, it's the betrayal. I'm so glad you've never had that happen and I hope it stays that way!
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
5 Oct 17
Look at the pawn shops for the class ring.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
5 Oct 17
I intend to, I know which one he favors. I did call them and they said they hold things in storage until the loan comes due then if not paid they put them out for sale. I have no idea when he did this except it was in the last couple of weeks. So starting next week I will look for the ring and some of the other items.
1 person likes this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
5 Oct 17
This is so sad...It must be a very difficult situation You take care
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
5 Oct 17
Thank you for your concern. I don't recall you seeing your here recently. I hope by following you I'll see your discussions and get to know you.
1 person likes this
@Friendlypink (3805)
•
5 Oct 17
This is sad. But dont lose hope there will come a time that he will realize everything and be good again.
Just look and hold on to other family members or friends who loves and care for you. Okay?
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
6 Oct 17
I had him in rehab for 8 months and went deeply in debt to pay for it. He's been in rehab twice since them and nothing seems to do any good. I guess I can only pray for him at this point.,
1 person likes this
@nangayo (2291)
• Nairobi, Kenya
6 Oct 17
@dragon54u Yeah that's exactly what he needs now i hope he will change.
1 person likes this
@much2say (53909)
• Los Angeles, California
4 Oct 17
Oh gosh - sorry you are having to deal with this! My parent in laws had their oldest daughter and family living there for some years . . . "things" mysteriously disappeared from their house back then. My parent in laws were the biggest enablers . . . since then they moved out and my father in law passed away. But now my mother in law has taken in 2 of the grown grandchildren . . . one of which has substance abuse issues, and I hate to say it but I think my mother in law is still an enabler - and this boy (man) will never recover because she cannot give him the boot. We are trying to keep an eye out to make sure nothing disappears this time . . . but still . . .
1 person likes this
@zainkhan121 (671)
• Pakistan
4 Oct 17
I feel so bad right now after reading what you have been through... I just wish he understands that how important a mother is for a son, how important parents are... and you are in an age where your son should be your support, not stealing things from you... again, I feel deeply bad, and I just wish things between you guys get back to normal.
1 person likes this
