On the whole, I’m a pretty straight kinda gal, a regular law-abiding citizen – so you might be shocked that I wish I had stolen quite a few things throughout my life.
Stolen? Really?!
Strong words considering I’ve never even so much as shoplifted a bag of lollies, and, I’m the sort that will speak up and give back the extra when I realise I’ve been given too much change (I must confess: I don’t always realise though … maths was never my strong point!).
So what are the things that I wish I had stolen? Why did I want to steal them? Were they valuable?
The jewellery might have been worth something, as jewellery sometimes is. But other than that, these items weren’t at all precious, except to a handful of people – and then only for sentimental reasons.
What I wish I had done differently, what I really regret, is that I didn’t steal family memorabilia from my mother before our final falling out. I wish I had stolen as many family photos as possible, “borrowed” my mother’s handwritten recipe book permanently, and smuggled jewellery home with me.
Lost Forever
Inside the covers of that tatty old recipe book, were the secrets to some of my favourite dishes. From my grandmother’s awesome jam tart, to a casserole I have strong memories of. Unfortunately, I don’t remember what the casserole was actually called – veal casserole rings a bell, but as I don’t even like veal these days, I can’t help wondering if my memory is playing tricks on me! It was a hearty winter warmer of a dish, with sliced potatoes on top, and I’m pretty sure it had a can of vegetable soup in it. I remember the peas – normally I hate peas, but these were quite mushy and yummy!
How I Wish I Had Stolen Jewellery!
I will never know what happened to the pretty gold locket with the red gem, that I used to wear with my Sunday best when I was a kid … it was my Mum’s when she was a girl. Or her marcasite watch. Oh, and what about mum’s FOUR (yes, you read that right!) sets of wedding and engagement rings? There could have been one set put aside for each of her children!
I can still picture the huge plastic box that mum kept our family photos in, along with report cards and other keepsakes. I Must Confess: I *did* pinch a few photos at one stage after I’d left home, ones that were particularly special to me. How I wish now that I’d stolen more!
Where are all these things today? So precious to me (and my siblings), but just rubbish to anybody else. Maybe they got thrown out. Maybe mum burned them in a fit of rage.
If I had known what the future held, that I would never see them again, I would definitely have stolen them. Because now they are lost to me forever.
Now that I’ve confessed that I wish I had been a thief … is there anything that you wish you had done differently in your life?!
Linking up with My Home Truths.
Vanessa says
Hmm, I don’t know if I’ve ever stolen anything. I might have – in the not noticed incorrect change way (if that’s stealing).
I think some friends of mine in early high school were into the ‘five finger discount’…. my philosophy is don’t steal a $3 mascara, if you want to commit a crime, make it worthwhile – go Oceans 11 size 🙂
Lyndall @ SeizeTheDayProject says
I’m with you Janet & Vanessa – I’m not in the “five finger discount club” either – and I often give back the change if they’ve given me too much. On the jewellery topic – My mother lost her Mum at the age of 19 and the only piece of good jewellery she owned was a lovely set of pearls. Mum was supposed to get them, but somebody took them – during the wake… on the day of the funeral! It had to be a friend or family member. Mum was devastated. I often wonder whether that person ever had the audacity to wear them in public!
Ness says
It’s a shame you didn’t get to keep some of these things. I love marcasite jewellery. I’m the same as you, I’m way too honest at times.
Denyse Whelan Blogs says
Oh I really feel for you on the regrets of those losses. I have mum’s rings and some of her jewellery. Mum was an avid wearer and on her funeral day, each of us women in the family chose something of mum’s to wear and to keep. It is a nice way to remember her. I actually gave away Mum’s handwritten recipe books to a blogger who collects such things and I have some regret. I am probably now (as a result of this post!) going to be brave enough to see if I can have them back..it was a long time ago when I did this and as I am aging I realise my daughter (who loved mum and learned a lot about cooking from her) would value these. Thanks for the ‘wake up’ call. Denyse x
Kirsty @ My Home Truths says
I’m sorry you’ll never have those memories or those keepsakes – I completely understand why you would want to steal them if you ever got the chance!
Janet Camilleri says
Wonder where they are now?!
Tory Warren says
I so hear this. My mum has a recipe book that’s an old white pages where she’s handwritten recipes and glued them in. It’s one of my favourite memories of my mum, she’d write them down and let me stick them in.
So sorry you’ve lost these things. Sometimes its nice to have the things to remind you of the memories.
Janet Camilleri says
Thanks Tory. At least I have some good memories of cooking from it when I was a young ‘un!