Celebration Manifesto
An Open Letter to Family, Friends, and Our Thieves:
We are doing fine. We are deeply grateful for your prayers, your emails, and how so many of you are sharing similar emotions of shock, anger, sadness — and hope.
I want to share some of our experience from the last day and a half. I think it will be helpful — not only to have a record of these events, but also to plant a marker of sorts … to see how these events shape us.
Our thieves were in and out in minutes. A wrenching pry to the driver’s side window frame shattered the window glass. One thief seems to have entered through that door, climbed in to the middle seat, and detached the mesh barrier that secured our rear luggage in place. Then — as bags and gear were surely handed to one or more partners, everything in the car was emptied.
The job was professional and instantaneous. It was too late when I noticed the hazard lights were flashing. Our thieves — and nearly everything in the car — were gone.
I arrived at the wounded car first, then came S, then E, then H, then W. Each of us felt a sickening rush of shock then sadness then emptiness. Faces fell. We felt a long way from safety, from peace, from help.
It turns out that we were likely hunted by our thieves. We were marked, watched. They invaded our circle and roughed up our belongings — treasured and otherwise. The sting of a violent and evil act carried out in our space was deep and piercing.
I’m grateful to say that we turned to each other in those early moments. Clumps of hugs. Shared tears. The beginning of mourning.
The boys wanted to know the whys and hows. Then — what about our money? Do we have to go home? S and I tried to piece together responses as best we could.
A few hours later, we received these words from my Dad via email:
The juxtaposition of your two recent emails, read just now — the joyful fans singing lustily (at the FC Barcelona game), the beaming faces of you and H … then the picture of the smashed car window and the news of your loss, your “violation” as it were — hit me squarely in the gut and left me sickened. I am so sorry … for something that hurts on so many levels. You will all recover and be stronger yet, I have no doubt, but I pray now for your strength to forgive this so that you might move on and for the wisdom to see this in the context of an otherwise extraordinary trip.
Dad is right. His prayer is indeed our prayer. Also this: WE ARE NOT GOING TO LET FEAR WIN. The bad guys don’t win this time. We’ve been honest with the boys — and our own hearts — about the painful realities of evil in the world. There is hardship, loss. But everything — EVEN THIS THEFT — can be redeemed in the end.
This scene was not taken from us in the burglary, of course. It’s a shot from earlier today at “recess” after World School math class and before Art of Language class.
We still mourn. Every now and then someone remembers another item that was stolen. But there is also laughter — “I wish they’d taken my math book.”
There is good — much good, an infinite Good — that remains with us. And we cling to it.
Today has been a scramble of phone calls with car, insurance, air travel, and bank representatives. It is going well — that is good! A new rental car is parked outside of our French apartment. E and H woke up today with teddy bear Toni, a gift from Spanish police officer Toni who helped us. W has been generous with his iPod, one of the few items that remains in our possession.
Last night while driving our shattered car at midnight to a Renault garage a few towns over, Kool and the Gang’s “Celebration” came on the radio. Now, S and I have put great effort in to AVOIDING cliches so far like “keep your head up” and “have a positive attitude” … but sure enough my toe was tapping with that song. And we choose to CELEBRATE what we have.
Years ago, I was nearly despondent during an NPR trip to Iraq. A few senior colleagues were greatly displeased with my work. I was affected badly and began to ask profound questions about who I am and what I’m supposed to be doing.
I turned to writing in that emptiness — writing stories about my Iraq experiences to family and friends. Those missives — regardless of how they were received — were affirming. They helped with healing.
Our recent experience in Spain hasn’t left me despondent in the same way — but I turn again to writing in order to help the healing.
Thank you for reading. Thank you for lifting up our family in your prayers. And thank you for being what we celebrate — on this journey and in the years to come.
Onward.
What a beautifiul post.I can think of a million things to say but none fully express how much this journey of yours continues to inspire me, and how amazing I think you and your family are for taking it and sharing it. You remain in my thoughts and prayers. Those malcontents that chose to steal your things have no idea the power and strength that you have to mourn,overcome, forgive, laugh, learn and move forward. All the best as you continue your journey.
Precious friends. Our whole family has joined in prayer for you. Your hope has not been stolen, your treasure indeed is in heaven and this space of time with your dear family on such an epic adventure. We are celebrating with you! Love to all, Amy, Aaron, Olivia, Caleb, Sophia and Joshua.
Invaded seems too simple a word. But family, strength, prayers, love and lessons all rise above it. This trip has been a blessing for many. Some who have vicariously traveled the world with you and might never have had the chance. At this season of Thanksgiving I am grateful no one was hurt and your journey can continue I hope…..somewhat selfishly to be honest. Tell everyone we send our love and prayers for forgiveness only so you can let it go and move on. May I suggest you collect new things by mind or picture or actual item to reclaim your journey. They can’t take take anything from you for there is far too many more good people in the world than bad and why they did what they did we will never know, but I do know you and this mother bear will rise up to pull her family forward with grace and strength and love. And all of us support you from afar until you all return home safely. Christine (Wax)
I cannot tell you how much your Dad’s words echoed ours. The joyous post from the night before to the feeling of confusion and emptiness just the next day…..it was surreal. David and I, too, tried to make sense of it all – and prayed for each of you as you journey onward, trying to discern God’s way in all of this. Much prayer and praise coming at you from Birmingham, AL. I am living vicariously through you all – and wanting to experience all that you are doing along the way. Thank you for sharing so much emotion with us all in the journey. We are thinking of you all as you forgive those who have done this to you and look to “Him who is able to do abundantly more than all we can ask or imagine!”
Love you all!
-Mary Anna and David
Hi Jimmy. I continue to read and enjoy your posts – even while distracted by other aspects of my own life. However, I could strongly respond to this invasive event as Eads and I, along with Sam and Evie, also experienced this sort of thing in our retail business. The biggest feeling being one of disillusionment – a jolt of modern day reality to be sure! And your Dad is right – approach this with a balanced view of life in the 21st century. Your kids are getting an early dose of “what is” and so lucky to have you guys there to redirect any “cognitive distortions” ( spoken like the therapist I am. ) You will all be stronger and wiser. Keep going. You guys “win.” Yeah team Wildman! Best. Debby Poitevent
Praying for you, and thankful that you’re safe! Grace and peace – the Grays
No one can steal your writing, Jimmy. Thank goodness for that, and the welcome vehicle you have for processing life’s turns. A gift, I know.
Wow! You continue to amaze me. I am thankful you are all safe. This experience,however discouraging,will be a good one for your sons. They are learning how unimportant “things” are and how truly important are the gifts our Father has for us. I feel so blessed that I am able to share this journey with you through your posts. I have always felt that God led you to our home and that you were the perfect answer to our prayers. Stay safe dear friends, you are in my prayers this Thanksgiving season.
Thanks for sharing the highs and the lows of this incredible adventure. Praying for you guys!
-MaryZ
I grieve for your loses! I know it is almost painful at times to think of the things that we love that we have lost or have been taken from us. Being sad for those things is okay. But I know you are a strong family and you will overcome this together. Next summer you will all say to yourselves, ” remember that terrible day?” and then you will move on. Continue to write your heart out and encourage your family to do so also. Your sweet family is in our thoughts and I hope that you will soon again find abundant joy! Onward!
In everything give thanks to God who works all things together for our good. Well done Wildman’s!! All of you. J & S your gifted writting is a ministry! J- your dad has the gift too! Rx
Tate and I are on the next flight Jason Bourne style.
Hi guys, this is vivian, i am so sorry about what you lost, but i hope that it will all work out in the end.
Wildman team. We are thinking and praying for you and hope that you are recovering from the assault on your belongings. Thank God you are safe. Aunt Sue and I are at Monteagle with your Mother and Aunt Amelia. We are able to stay in the Hermitage with heaters. We are excited about our new shower that is being put into Coming Home. We are amazed the it is nearly complete. I will let you have a shower in it next summer.
Your car is in our garage. I have driven it to keep the battery charged.
Aunt Sue and I just returned from three weeks in Israel, Jordan and Egypt. Very exciting trip. Learned a lot about our Lord’s agony in His road to the Cross. We can share with you about it when you get home. I wonder if you could work Jerusalem into your schedule. I would be a fantastic experience.
Love you and praying for you.
Uncle Andy
Jim, very sorry for the loss of your things. It is a big hit in the short term — right to the crotch. Ouch. I am glad no one was hurt.
In the long term, however, what a great flipping adventure, story, experience. And what a great opportunity to draw near to the poor and vulnerable who live under the daily threat of violence and theft but have no one to turn to, no insurance, no parents, friends with resources, fall back position, etc. In most places in the world, it is the authorities themselves that are the thieves, the threat, or back it up. Just something to think about with your boys.
Your Dad is right. Great email from him about forgiving and moving on.
SO SAD!!!!!!!!!