Greetings!: Who Is The Victim (LB)

Saturday, January 26, 2019

Who Is The Victim (LB)

Sometimes it is interesting to look back and see what was happening to you and what you were thinking about years ago. I've kept journals since 1996 and I often find it interesting to look back at what I wrote and thought was important years ago. The same is true with my blogs which I have published weekly since 2008, although I was actually blogging elsewhere years earlier than that.

I had added a new feature to my hymn blog called "Timeless Hymns" in which each month I edit and repeat a hymn blog that I had published several years ago. So I thought I might try the same thing with this, my personal blog. I'm calling the feature "Looking Back" and this is the very first installment.

"Who Is The Victim?" was published September 16, 2008.

Last winter I looked out our bedroom window and noticed that there were footprints in the snow coming off the street and across our backyard. It had snowed that night so the prints were very visible in the inch or so of newly fallen snow.

Later I went out back to investigate and found that the tracks went across our small patio to our backdoor, which fortunately was locked. I then followed the tracks around to the side of the house to our den door which was also locked. Next they went to the side door to our garage which had been left unlocked just in case we had a major snowfall which knocked out electricity and I would need to get into the garage for the snow blower. The door there was partially open but the entrance was actually blocked by our riding mower. I checked inside the garage and nothing appeared to be missing or out of place.

The prints then left our house and went to our neighbors. I thought that maybe I should report this to the police even though nothing was stolen or disturbed. About 30 minutes later a police officer came, retraced the path, took my name and left. I felt that I had done my civic duty! Mistake number one!

Weeks later I began to get numerous lengthy forms in the mail. I was classified as a victim and had to complete these forms. I could have qualified for all sorts of help - including emotional counseling. I kept returning these completed forms and continued to report that I didn't feel that I was a victim. I didn't require any help. Mistake number two!

Then, months later, I received a subpoena from the district attorney that required me to appear at a trial on October 3 in the Lancaster County Courthouse. Now it would be more of my time and extra gas expense. I guess I could have refused to go and not show up, but that might have been mistake number three and I might have been in real trouble. So, I began to wonder, was I really the victim? Should I have requested emotional counseling? The system was making me really feel like a victim and I thought that I was just doing my civic duty.

I guess the lesson I was learning is to be like others and not get involved. But that is the wrong attitude - at least I think it is - or is it? Well, I decided that I'd just go and testify of my "major" knowledge of the case and gain another new experience in life. I guess here is always more to be learned ... by victims ... and by non victims.

Note - I never did have to go to court. They found the wanderer - a drunken Millersville University student - and they eventually settled out of court.

(1) When upon life's billows you are tempest-tossed,

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

Count your blessings, see what God hath done!

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

(2) Are you ever burdened with a load of care?

Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?

Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,

And you will keep singing as the days go by.