Theft of holiday decorations goes against the spirit of the season
At this time of year we gather together with friends and family to celebrate the Christmas season. For many this involves decorating their homes and yards to express their holiday cheer. For the past many years our family has taken pride in providing a Christmas light display at our family farm in Lodi Township. Many from across the area have expressed to us their appreciation of this display and occasionally leave a note on the door thanking us for our efforts.
It is with this in mind that it troubles and upsets us so much when petty theft occurs.
Earlier this (past) year we had a Halloween decoration stolen from the yard and chalked it up to youthful shenanigans. However, most recently a significant display was stolen from our yard. The display was a personal one and featured the Peanut's characters skating on a frozen pond. Each figure was secured to the board and would have had to been damaged significantly in order to be removed. This sort of petty theft strikes so hard at a time of year when all our family was trying to do was bring some Christmas cheer to the community.
These continued acts of the theft will force us to limit the display in years to come. It is unfortunate as we look forward each year to investing in new items to add to the display. We ask that if anyone is aware of the whereabouts of these figures that they simply return them to the yard.
It would be the normal reaction of most to want to hold a grudge or hatred towards the individuals involved in this theft. However, our Christian faith teaches us to forgive. That is why we hope that those responsible for the cowardice act acknowledge their wrong and try to make it right.
A larger message here is for families to remind each other that kindness and generosity should never be recognized with theft and disrespect. We continue to wish all those who come by the farm to view the lights a very Merry Christmas, but wanted everyone to know the frustration we face when individuals stoop to the low of stealing from a Christmas display.
The Schaible family
Lodi Township
Comments
roadsidedinerlover
Sun, Jan 1, 2012 : 2:55 a.m.
I have enjoyed the holiday displays for a long time now and I hope the person or persons responsible will think about their bad karma that they will receive by stealing their property. That being said, perhaps instead of displaying these lights and decorations, why not make a contribution to a charity in this county? That way, the money that you spent for those lights will go to people here in the USA and not to China where all Christmas/holiday lights come from anyway? The factories there have horrid conditions and that is not very Christian to support this industry. These Chinese sweatshops add to the world wide pollution and global warming and human suffering.
pest
Sun, Jan 1, 2012 : 4:38 a.m.
Decorations help spread holiday cheer and many people enjoy experiencing giving that cheer to others and to share the spirit of Christmas. I personally make it a point to walk or drive through communities where lights and decorations are displayed. It never fails to bring a smile to my face and to lighten my heart. Displaying Christmas decorations and lights are not exclusive from donations and helping others in their time in need. There is no reason a family or individual cannot do both and often do. I will NEVER sacrifice what brings myself joy to help others and no one should as long as those acts are not selfish or illegal. Especially when the act brings other joy as well. That is a form of sharing.
zip the cat
Sat, Dec 31, 2011 : 7:21 p.m.
Go out and buy one of those "game cameras" that take pictures at night with out any flash. I used to put up lights at christmas and after years of theft,I bought one of them. It was a local kid who was stealing my lights and when I showed his parents the pics they paid me for all that were stolen. No more theft problem