The trail was steeper than I expected, but the view was amazing.  Not being used to the thin mountain air, it took longer than I thought it would to scale the ridge, plus, my ankle was acting up.  So rather than spend two nights in the woods, one would have to suffice.  In the morning, a bear woke me up, charging along past the tent.  I think he must have smelled the scent, or maybe it was the snoring that scared him off.  Either way, it was a glorious way to awaken before hiking back down the mountain.

All was right with the world, until I found that someone had broken into my truck at the trail head.  My wallet, my Blackberry... gone.  Whoever took them won't be able to use them long.. I deactivated my cards, had the phone shut off.. it's not like they even had the charger... and tomorrow I begin the long effort of replacing everything.. driver's license, getting the smashed window repaired...  all for about $70 in cash and a cell phone...

Why..?  Why do people think they can take from others without any thought to the pain it causes them?  I've always believed.. or at least wanted to believe... that people don't knowingly do something they feel is wrong.  People will always have an excuse...the corporation can afford it if I take this notepad home, that person already has more than they need, this loaf of bread will keep my child from starving...  Some excuses undoubtedly feel better than others.. but in the end, they are just excuses.  Do people really take advantage of others with no care as to how it might affect them...?

Maybe that is so after all.  We live in a world of ponzi schemes and corporate greed... should it be so surprising then that a couple of kids will smash a window in order to charge a tank or two of gas before the Visa is shut off?  But even so... how do they sleep at night?  Do they think it's OK... well, at least for them....?  It made me wonder how they would feel if someone smashed the window of their car and grabbed something from them...  Somehow, I can't imagine they'd be OK with that.....

As I picked the glass out of my carpet and seat tonight, it also made me wonder whether anyone feels I've done a smash and grab on them before... not literally, of course.. I've never stolen anything in my life.. although I do admit to walking off with a corporate pen or two.. But do we excuse ourselves for emotional smash and grabs..?  Do we treat relationships that way as well..? Have I...?

I hope not.. but I'm sure I'll be picking glass out of my seat for some time now.  Should give me plenty of time to think about it.. and if I have.. make amends...

It's always one thing to give something away.. I'm happy to do that, be it my time, my things, sometimes my money.. something offered as a gift makes you feel good.  But something taken or expected... whether it's two teenage kids driving along a lonely highway or one of your closest friends.. just leaves you feel violated.. no matter how much they needed it.

So next time I go backpacking, I'll have learned not to leave anything in the car.  It's sad to have to change after twenty years of leaving my car in the woods.  Makes one re-evaluate where we're all at.  But maybe I need to think about my relationships with others.. my life.. as well.. Is there anything in there I can't live without that someone could smash and grab.. something I would be happy to give but hate to have taken..?  Am I doing that to anyone else..?

I can't change others.. but I can change me... Time to pick up the pieces and move on...