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They are only material possessions, but…

July 21, 2009 by Janice

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

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I dreamed last night about my Canon 40D and my Sony HD Video Camera. As I blinked open my eyes this morning, I remembered that they are gone.

My whole camera bag is in someone’s dishonest hands. They have probably already dropped off the cameras and lenses, including my Dad’s 50mm lens that I treasured so much, at a pawn shop and thrown my flash card, packed with images I hadn’t yet downloaded, in the trash. My notebook with posts I can’t remember and the three new parenting books I had just bought are gone too. Even the camera attachment for my tripod was in there along with the power cable for my laptop.

I keep trying to push it all out of my mind. They are only things. I still have my precious children and my family. But it still hurts. Not only can I not afford to replace all that gear, but they were my most treasured material possessions. Whenever someone asked me what material possessions I couldn’t live without, it would be my cameras. I adored my Canon 40D. Every time I touched it, I thanked God for it.

I keep praying and hoping that someone will phone and tell me they found them. But it has been over ten days, and so I think I can safely assume that I will never see that bag or its contents again.

It is amazing how badly it hurts when someone steals our personal belongings. The violation, the loss, the cost — it really shakes you up!

Jesus knew what he was talking about, that is for sure:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also…” Matthew 6:19-21

What material possessions would you feel lost without?


Written by 5 Minutes for Mom co-founder, Janice Croze.

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The Two Year Old Tantrum
I’m late announcing this…

About Janice

Janice is co-founder of 5 Minutes For Mom. She's been working online since 2003 and is thankful her days are full of social media, writing and photography.

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29 Comments

  1. Andrew says

    November 9, 2009 at 11:30 pm

    Hello, I’m sorry to hear about your misfortune. I would be lost without my camera as well. You should check with your home insurence provider, as some providers will cover property even if it is lost/stolen outside the house. About a year ago, I was on vacation, and my camera, laptop, and iPod were stolen. My home insurence company (travlers) wrote me a check to replace those items after I filed a clame and proved that I owned the items (box, recept, etc.) I would look into it even if you think your provider would not cover you. Best of luck.

    Reply
  2. Dayna says

    July 31, 2009 at 7:50 am

    I’m so sorry to read your story, however, it hit a spot in my heart this week very close! My car was broken into this weekend and my bag stolen. Although I still have my camera and several other “personal things” I thought were missing I totally relate with the “violation”. All I can say is “stupid theif!” I agree they are only things, but you know some of those things were the only things of that sort I had and were either given to me my special people or for special reasons. I believe God doesn’t give us things we can’t handle, but sometimes it’s hard to wonder the “why part”.

    I hope your days get better and pray that a nice new wonderful camera is back in your hands soon.

    Reply
  3. Casual Friday Every Day says

    July 23, 2009 at 12:30 am

    Oh my heart just broke into a million little pieces. I’m so very sorry! If I lost my pictures or camera I’d be crushed.

    Nell

    Reply
  4. melanie says

    July 22, 2009 at 6:56 am

    hugs!

    I would feel lost without my camera, too. I adore my camera.

    Reply
  5. Musings of a Housewife says

    July 22, 2009 at 6:13 am

    JANICE! That’s awful. I can only imagine how hurt and frustrated you feel. I have to say, out of material possessions, I’d say my camera is right up there too. First would be all my photo albums, though, that I worked hours and hours on. ((hug))

    Reply
  6. Mia says

    July 22, 2009 at 5:15 am

    That is awful.
    Unfortunately, I’ve lost all of my belongings twice in my life already and I’ve developed the attitude that every “thing” is replaceable it’s the loved ones that are treasures.

    Reply
  7. Wendy says

    July 22, 2009 at 1:25 am

    I know that “want to throw up” feeling. Many years back, when I was pregnant with my third child, my sister decided to rejoin the work force and borrowed most of my non-pregnant wardrobe. Months later, after the baby was born, I went over one night to reclaim my clothes. Sis and I got to chatting while her oldest son took the clothes downstairs to load in my backseat (she lived in an apartment complex at the time). When they walked me out to the car later, I opened the door and said, “Where are my clothes?” And her son said, “When did you move your car?” Somehow, he’d put them in someone else’s car, and it was long gone. An entire wardrobe (and some of those dresses were pretty expensive), gone in an instant.

    Nowadays, the only things I’d be sick to death to lose (besides any of my children, God forbid!) would be my old home movies with my mother in them. Since she passed, they’ve become more precious than almost anything.

    Reply
  8. Stephanie says

    July 21, 2009 at 11:37 pm

    Oh, Janice, I’m so sorry! That is a very “painful” loss indeed. I am not a very materialistic person, but I definitely would feel lost without my laptop and my camera (my two “prized possessions”). I sure hope that the somebody who took it feels guilty enough to call…

    Reply
  9. CrAzY Working Mom says

    July 21, 2009 at 11:03 pm

    I’m so sorry you’re possessions have not yet turned up. It really is sad. My most treasured material possessions would also be my camera and laptop, and now my new blackberry. I’m still holding out hope that maybe someone has it and just hasn’t had time to return it. *fingers crossed*

    Reply
  10. Mary says

    July 21, 2009 at 9:44 pm

    I do know how you feel. It’s easy to say that “it’s only stuff” but it’s amazing how attached we can get to that “stuff”.

    When I was thirteen we moved back to Canada from overseas under a financial cloud. My mom told me to pack all the things I cared about keeping in my carry-on luggage. I had going away gifts, my (first) camera, my favourite clothes and a toy stuffed dog that I’d had since I was a baby. The bag was confiscated at boarding (it was slightly overfull) and I never saw it again. Ouch!

    Ever since I’ve tried hard to stay detached from my stuff but it takes conscious effort to remind myself what is really important to me. And when it’s something useful like a camera it might not be so much the thing itself but having something that can take pictures (or the memories that are represented by the object).

    Anyway, I’m very sorry to hear about your camera. I found it helped to pray for the person who took my stuff. And of course the passage of time will take the sting off no matter what!

    Reply
  11. Walensky Photography says

    July 21, 2009 at 7:47 pm

    Even if they were material items, they still cost money, and it was horrible that no one tried to return it. I would be lost without my camera, so I know how you must feel. I am so sorry =(

    Reply
  12. Dominique says

    July 21, 2009 at 6:34 pm

    That’s horrid ..loosing your camera bag. Hope that you can get your camera replaced. I would be extremely lost if my mobile got picked 🙂

    Reply
  13. Angelina says

    July 21, 2009 at 5:26 pm

    Im so sad about your camera bag! I know i keep mine on me a lot, but its hard to keep it on your person… My friend at church had his guitar taken and another guys case…FROM OUR CHURCH! Its been a rough week for the praise band, feeling a little betrayed i think…Keep you chin up- a window will open somewhere. And maybe your camera wil come flying in it!!

    Reply
  14. Sky says

    July 21, 2009 at 5:14 pm

    My heart is just breaking for you!

    The one possesion that I absolutely adore is an afghan. Yes, a blanket. I have had this blanket since I was 5, I sleep with it every night, it goes everywhere with me. It’s packed in it’s own bag along with everything else. I feel an absolute panic about someday losing it. I’m a bit of a nutter, eh?

    Reply
  15. Rachel says

    July 21, 2009 at 5:12 pm

    I would be lost without my camera, I use it everyday. The thought of not being able to capture little every day moments breaks my heart.

    I pray that your camera bag has made it into honest hands and that you will get the call.

    Reply
  16. Paper Bridges says

    July 21, 2009 at 5:03 pm

    my laptop and my flip camera.

    so sorry, janice 🙁

    monica

    Reply
  17. Spoodles says

    July 21, 2009 at 4:54 pm

    I think that these things are really more than just material possessions. It wasn’t just stuff that was taken. When something is stolen from you, you have been violated. Your sense that what you own is yours, and that what you’ve earned is secure has been shaken. I imagine you’d feel the same way even if you didn’t care at all about the stuff itself!

    Reply
  18. Keonte' says

    July 21, 2009 at 4:45 pm

    I’ve been here. In fact, it was just last week. I lost my camera as well. And while it was no where near the magnitude of your camera, I felt completely lost.

    I searched the house, called friends and family, and wrecked my brain all day. I thought someone was playing an evil trick on me.

    For a moment, I was sulking in my misery. A tiny piece of metal held so much control over my well-being. I cried. I whined. I even laid in the bed. It seem extreme, but to me those were memories I had lost.

    After rummaging through trash cans, the laundry, and piles of junk throughout the house, I came up with nothing.

    My 7 yo. son had to remind me that it was just a camera and I didn’t have to cry.

    I finally got over it…slightly. If my son had to reassure me that it was going to be okay, then it must be okay.

    I found it…eventually. It was outside on top a tank outside. Must have been important to me to have left it here. Go figure!

    As much as we think we aren’t attached to material possessions, we are. I don’t think there is anything wrong with feeling that way. It’s how we deal with the lost that is not okay. I had my health, my family, and as much as I thought they were lost…I had all the memories I needed in my heart.

    I’ll keep praying your camera returns.

    Reply
  19. Jennifer, Snapshot & (5M4B) says

    July 21, 2009 at 4:36 pm

    I was just telling my friend about this, because she just got her first camera — her first nice one.

    I know it really hurts, and I’m SO sorry that it happened to you. I keep hoping that it will turn up somehow.

    Reply
  20. Janice says

    July 21, 2009 at 4:32 pm

    Thanks so much for your thoughts ladies.

    Whitney and Lachelle – I am so sorry that you lost those precious photos too! That is terrible!

    Jen L. – it is sure is disappointing isn’t it!

    Kim – yes I would grab the same things!

    Reply
  21. chyk says

    July 21, 2009 at 3:52 pm

    I had a golden locket my grandfather gave me right before he died (it had been my great grandmother’s) and it got lost. You cannot imagine the number of times I reach for my neck when I am stressed in order to hold it, only to be reminded that it is gone.

    Reply
  22. Lachelle says

    July 21, 2009 at 3:52 pm

    Sorry for your loss! I had someone steal all my pictures from my freshman year at college (I met my family on vacation for the summer before heading home and had all of them in my backpack and it was stolen). I was crushed with all the picture memories lost! Not to mention my journals that were taken as well. So sad!

    Reply
  23. Jen L. says

    July 21, 2009 at 3:41 pm

    That stinks about your camera bag. I’m having one of those days where I’m completely sickened that people can be so rude and dishonest. I hope whomever took your stuff (if that’s the case) returns it.

    I would be lost without my laptop. I use it for so many things: Work, sharing photos and stories with friends and family, blogging, keeping up with the news and so much more.

    Reply
  24. TLR says

    July 21, 2009 at 3:35 pm

    It sucks to lose your camera, they are only things, but it’s the pictures that are on them that would get me! I love my pictures and have copies of cd’s with the downloaded pictures on them at my mom’s just in case something happens to mine.

    Reply
  25. Kim says

    July 21, 2009 at 3:34 pm

    I totally understand how you feel. I always think that if, God forbid, there is a fire in my house, I would grab my daughter, obviously, and my video and digital cameras. I wouldn’t care about anything else. I know how upset you must feel. That just sucks!

    Reply
  26. Connie Walsh says

    July 21, 2009 at 3:32 pm

    What would I feel lost without…well lost would be a serious overstatement, but what THINGS do I treasure???

    KitchenAid Stand Mixer
    Breadmaker
    my lappy
    some of the pictures on my wall (they make me feel happy when I see them)
    my printer (I have some weird connection to it…probably because of my love of stationary)
    My House (I am learning to live with a smaller house and people)

    Reply
  27. Whitney says

    July 21, 2009 at 3:21 pm

    Ugh – this happened to me also. Two different vacations with no pictures to show for it…I’m not sure my friends really believe I went to Holland :). Sorry for your loss.

    Reply
  28. Jenn says

    July 21, 2009 at 3:14 pm

    Oh, I am sorry for your loss! The pictures, the lens and the disappointment of a hope never realized (waiting for the call…)

    Reply
  29. Rhana says

    July 21, 2009 at 3:11 pm

    my life would feel great loss if I no longer had my Blackberry, iMac and my camera. What would I do all day if I couldn’t respond to emails, update my website and take pics of the kids?

    Reply

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