Monday, May 28, 2007

Memorial Day Thoughts

On this Memorial Day holiday, while it is important to remember those who have died for our country, it is also appropriate to think about how good we have it in this country. The following is an excerpt from an e-mail that was sent to me by a South African friend from high school. She lives in Port Elizabeth, South Africa:

I am not sure if you are aware about the shocking crime in our country at the moment. We have been a bit better in Port Elizabeth until about 2 year ago. We have a new breed of criminal now that feel nothing to break into your home while you are sleeping. They have absolutely no value on life.
I am getting to the end of my tether with the crime in our beautiful country. It crept in a little to close to home on early hours of Friday morning. I'm not sure if you remember me talking about Sheena while I lived in Taiwan. She is my oldest and dearest friend still to this day. Sheena is single and therefore lives alone. She has just had major renovations done to her home. It is absolutely stunningly beautiful - looks like it belong on the pages of House and Leisure. Anyway during the early hours of Friday morning, she was shaken awake by a black man demanding "where the money was." She doesn't keep money at home so obviously didn't have large sums to give him - so the bastard just stabbed her - in her bed!!! She was able to raise the alarm (she has a very sophisticated alarm system which she failed to set when going to bed) and she phoned Carey, her sister, who lives within 5 minute drive of her.
Sheena was rushed off to hospital where she was stabilised and operated on. She spent 2 days in ICU, and I was able to see her on Saturday afternoon. She was stabbed in her neck area, in the region of her left clavicle. It was a large wound that had to have arteries and veins repaired. Yesterday, she was much better - was moved to the general ward and was able to sit up and move to the loo. She will hopefully be home tomorrow. Carey will stay with her until she is able to cope mentally and physically. The police have been marvellous (unusual with our new government...), they have sent a councillor to help her, an inspector to see her, and were at the scene at the same time as the independent alarm company. (quite miraculous really...)
The criminals broke in by lifting roof tiles and cutting holes in her ceiling. I cannot believe how brazen they were. Apparently a hole was also found in her back fence between her and her neighbours and they had set up a observation place. Sheena has a large property with an enormous back garden. She has had large fold away doors fitted to the back off her house - and doesn't have curtains etc as it is so private. She is beside herself now, wants to get curtains etc so that she can close herself in. She is understandably very freaked out as they have been watching her. They have been sitting in the dark of her back garden and monitoring her. It is so scary. Makes me want to pack up and leave like any other sensible person with half a chance.
She does have 2 dogs, 2 fiercely protective little Scotties that sleep on her bed with her. They apparently barked and performed but she didn't wake up until this man shook her. It is too bizarre. Sheena does sleep deeply - always has. Makes me wonder if they didn't let some kind of gas off or something. She remembers Aggie (the dog) jumping at this man, but he just shoved Aggie off. She may have to get a bigger fiercer dog. One thing for sure, she is definitely going to have to set her alarm more vigilantly - she is also looking at electric fencing and garden beams.
She has had large fold away doors fitted to the back of her house - and doesn't have curtains etc as it is so private. She is beside herself now, wants to get curtains etc so that she can close herself in. She is understandably very freaked out as they have been watching her.
I have just spoken to her briefly, she has just had physio, and says her shoulder and chest are very stiff, but the pain is more bearable.

Whatever you think of the foreign policy of our American government, take a second to reflect on how relatively safe we are in our own homes, compared to the rest of the world.

Happy Memorial Day!

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