Home ownership has been so different than what I imagined it to be and not in a really anecdotal way. We moved into a small post-war cottage in July. We moved into an intown neighborhood not because we wanted to yuppify or gentrify our southeast Atlanta neighborhood but because we believe in supporting sustainable urban growth and development.
That hope and aspiration has been shattered. In the last three months, our house has been broken into twice. The first time was the Saturday before Thanksgiving and the most recent the first week of February. Both times the burglars were able to kick in our front door despite taking extra security measures after the first break-in.
They have taken two TVs, two laptops, two Wiis, an Xbox, many hours of sleep, more money than we can afford and our sense of autonomy and security. What is most disconcerting is knowing that someone is watching you and waiting for the right time to invade your home and disrupt your life for trivial material items.
I don't think enough voices can say how terrorizing it is to know that you, your way of life, your peace of mind is being pursued by an unknown force, individuals and groups that are seemingly unstoppable. On top of that fear, to be told that you are hysterical or exaggerating, makes you feel frustrated and hopeless. The overarching feeling is a lack of control over my life, my safety and the safety of the ones I care about.
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