By Cheryl Smith
As 2021 rapidly comes to a close, I thought about something weighing heavily on my mind and in my heart.
To move on, however, I need to let it go.
Which brings me to my truth.
In 2020, someone stole my vehicle. I didn’t care about the vehicle. I wanted a new one anyway!
It did bother me that earlier that day we had loaded the car up with the latest editions of Texas Metro News and the Garland Journal, in preparation to make deliveries to over 300 locations.
It was also frustrating because I felt somewhat violated.
A few days later I received a call and was notified that the newspapers and other personal items were left outside of a dumpster by Methodist Charlton Medical Center.
Eventually the car was found and I had to retrieve it.
There was damage to the exterior and two tires were on flat.
Inside, clearly the perpetrators, thieves, or whatever you want to call them, were smokers of both tobacco and weed.
Inside the car there were remnants of their vices, including some clothing and discarded food containers, empty cigarette packs and lots of tobacco.
The car was a mess!
I was wishing for a moment with those who took from me for their own pleasure.
These knuckleheads, in their haste, overlooked several money orders and a few gift cards; items that could be replaced.
Unfortunately for me, they took a small gray lock box that my mother gave to me before she transitioned.
I can still recall how anxious I was when Mother told me she had something for me. I had no idea what it was. As she handed me the box, I wondered, did she hit the jackpot during one of her many trips to Atlantic City, or Winstar once she moved to Dallas?
Had she saved a copy of my favorite book or written a love letter just for me? I opened the box only once and surveyed the contents before locking it and thanking her.
Then I put the box away with the intention of using its contents should I ever find myself at a total loss. It was to be my ace in the hole; a reminder that my mother was always with me and here was something only I knew about.
I placed it under the driver’s seat in my car, always near.
Until the car was stolen.
What makes the situation even more painful is the lack of an adequate response from the person assigned to my case from the Dallas Police Department.
Now I know I am not the only one who has run into someone who has used COVID-19 as an excuse for inadequate work, performance or results. The excuses and lack of work ethic just adds to the devastating effects of the pandemic.
Even after a call from City Hall, this officer tried to act as though he was pursuing justice, but he could have vanished from the face of the earth, although I hope and pray that is not the case; and my file could be just languishing in the cold case stack.
Admittedly I have watched too many law shows; from Perry Mason and Mod Squad to Shaft and Law and Order SVU.
So, forgive me for thinking that since the car was stolen from an Oak Cliff gas station/ convenience store with cameras and there were plenty of items to get DNA from; possibly the investigation could have produced favorable results.
Could have, if someone had worked it!
I started to name the officer who provided lackluster service. It seemed the right thing to do, to call out the bad apple so we can stop letting them get away with assaulting, robbing; and yes, murdering our community.
Then I thought about that officer’s mother, who would only be hurt reading about her trifling son.
My mother did not raise me to transfer my hurt onto someone else.
I’ve tried to be a daughter Mother could be proud of so I won’t say the Detective’s name.
I know it would have made me feel so much better if he had done his job.
It would have been great to have the perpetrators caught and punished; hopefully deterring them from a life of crime and imprisonment.
I know that gift from Mother will never be returned; however I am grateful for the many gifts and blessings from her, beginning with our two hearts beating as one!
So, I will do as we’re encouraged to do in the hit song by Mase featuring P. Diddy, “Breathe, Stretch, Shake, let it go .”
