Having just moved into a new house, I had to drive a quarter of a mile down the road to the nearest pay phone since mine wasn't installed yet. The second day there, I ran to the phone and was back within 10 minutes. I found the front door open and my dog loose.I cussed the dog for being too danged smart and getting that door open, and headed inside. I found my living room torn apart - seat cushions everywhere, things knocked off the top of the... It took several seconds for my mind to accept the fact that the TV and stereo were gone, the cause of all the things on top to now be on the floor.
One of my guitars was still propped against the couch where I left it, and so was all the PA equipment in the kitchen. In the bedroom, I found the sheets, blankets and pillows torn back from the corner of my waterbed, and the top drawer of my dresser on the floor with all my underwear and socks strewn everywhere.
That was when it hit me, and hit me hard. I had been violated, raped, assaulted, robbed and I was terrified. My home, my place in the world, my safety was gone.
That incident happened in 1979, but the memory is still as sharp and clear as the day it happened.
I haven't thought about that break-in in years. But, on Tuesday, something happened to attack my person in much the same way, but to a lesser degree. I am not terrified this time; instead, I am royally pissed. Emails I had sent to someone else were intercepted. My personal space has been violated.
I may be a little more 'diplomatic' in conversation with some people than I would with others, but it won't come as any surprise when I say that I will say what is on my mind. Always. You won't get a different answer if you ask different people what I told them. I won't eavesdrop either, and know that it is my own fault if I happen to overhear something I don't like. I sure wouldn't be crass enough to let on I overheard either.
It's like burping and farting and picking your nose and scratching your crotch in public. You just don't do it. Well, except for in Wal-mart - the fart part, that is. Some things are just beyond your control.
There is no circumstance ever that you should stick your nose in where it doesn't belong. When a parent sticks their nose into their child's business, it teaches them first-hand what it feels like to be violated. The child in turn learns right away not to ever do that to someone else. The crappy feeling that comes from violation just doesn't go away, and it is a major assault on trust.
You get what you deserve if your feelings are hurt because you stuck your nose in the wrong place. Next time you'll know not to put your hand in the fire, won't you?
