FORGIVEN: But thefts not forgotten

To the person who broke into our house and robbed us the day after Christmas: WE FORGIVE YOU AND TAKE BACK OUR POWER TO FEEL SAFE IN OUR HOME AND OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

It is obvious that you were looking for things to get money for quickly as you went through every medicine bottle we have and you took jewelry, cameras and other things. But I wonder... will you get the same joy out of the things you took as we did? Like the pearl necklace that my parents gave me for my 13th birthday, or the beautiful jade pendant that was a gift from my father after a long trip to Asia, or how about the small square opal ring that looks like a child's ring? It is; it was my mother's, who gave it to me when I was 10 (I'm now 52 so you can see it has been in my family for a long time) and the pearl cluster ring which is the first piece of nice jewelry my husband of 31 years gave me when we finally started to get some money.

And I forgive the people who might have bought these things knowing that they were stolen. However, if you do have them or know where they are I would love to have them back. NO QUESTIONS ASKED. Contact Mike Patrick at the Coeur d'Alene Press (664-0227).

And to neighbors, call the police if something doesn't look right. You'll be happy you did. We still love our little town.

THE JOLICOEURS

Coeur d'Alene