A Day To Remember

First of all, my congratulations to the new President of the United States, Barack Obama. I listened to part of his speech this morning at work and was inspired to hope for a brighter future.

During the speech of the President with my co workers, I knew I needed to go home. I was sick and getting sicker. Nothing serious, just an infection with antibiotics that weren't working fast enough.

I had just gotten home, changed my clothes, crawled into bed and was on the verge of sleep when my cell phone rang. It was one of my closest relatives. When I answered, it was actually the Branch Manager of one of our local banks. He told me who he was and said my family member had just been robbed. Suddenly my adrenaline kicked in and I was no longer sick. I could hear her in the background sobbing. "Could you come to the bank?" he asked, "Are you in Salt Lake?" I told him yes even though I was on the other side of the valley. I told him I would be there in 20 minutes.

I do not understand why people rob banks. The tellers do not keep much money in their tills so it is of little value to rob them only to be caught and spend 20 years in prison for armed robbery. We have had a rash of robberies lately. Maybe it's the economy that has driven people to do this. Whatever the reason, someone had now just hurt my family.

My hubby was away from home and I frantically called him so he could run me into Salt Lake. We (he) drove like maniacs or tried to. But we made it there in record time. As we pulled into the bank parking lot there were 6 or so police cars and 2 TV photographers. I hardly let the car stop before I was out of the door.

I was stopped, of course, by the police and explained who I was.

I walked into the bank. I am mature, I told myself. I am older. I cannot be weak, I cannot cry. When I saw her standing there shaking I crumbled inside. I just wanted to hold her and make sure she was OK. Physical she was still in tact but emotionally she was horribly shaken.

A man had walked into he bank, waited in line and she had asked to help him. He handed her a note that she really can't remember EXCEPT it said he had a gun. She turned to her till and gave him all her money. Not a fortune, like many people think. Defiantly not worth the threat on her life and not worth the price he will pay for doing this.

What upset me the most is this person has now destroy the feeling of safety and well being of this entire family.

I hope no one ever has to go through this or have a family member or close friend go through something like this. Customer Service employees, no matter what they do, are not paid enough to be held up and have their lives threatened.

With the new beginning in our country fresh on our minds I hope this little family can deal with this the best way they know and move past it to a better and brighter tomorrow.

For those who rob banks and threatend peoples lives.....I hope you enjoy stripes!