Just over a month ago in the Chronicle, we reported that Holly (the JustBobCat) and several other pieces of equipment were stolen from our garage. That same week, we also posted a plea on Facebook to ask folks to help the police find the thief and our missing equipment.

Well, the case is still ongoing so we can’t share all the details, but we can happily report there has been progress. Thanks to the help of almost two hundred Facebook friends who saw and shared our post, more than 13,000 people heard the news and kept their eyes open. Someone then alerted law enforcement when they saw something suspicious.

Holly was found but she was badly damaged, possibly beyond repair. Law enforcement officers discovered we were not the only victim of the culprit as they also found a multitude of stolen items on the property where Holly was found. Over the course of the past few weeks, as they dug through the mounds of stolen items, they were able to identify most of our missing property – our chain saw, leaf blower, wood splitter, the gas cans and several hand tools. (It seems as though the chain saw, leaf blower and the wood splitter should have names, but if they do, this Chronicler is unaware of them.) All were unharmed, although the gas cans were empty. The recovered property was returned over the past couple of weeks and JustBob happily welcomed the wood splitter back home earlier this week.

It is hard to describe the whirlwind of a rollercoaster ride we’ve been on over the past five weeks. The theft left us all feeling betrayed and violated. The flurry of paperwork that followed, for police and prosecutors as well as for insurance companies, left Jackie K. and JustBob frustrated, bewildered and overwhelmed given the amount of time they have had to take away from their ordinary duties.

As challenging as this has been, there is much for which we are grateful. The outpouring of support and help we received from friends and strangers after sharing the news was beyond amazing. The diligence of law enforcement officers to follow up on leads and pursue the investigation is much appreciated. The return of most of our property in good shape is a relief and a blessing.

So while there has been progress, it is also a process that is likely to last many months, perhaps even years. How long before we can return to a sense of normalcy is yet to be determined and likely to be a gradual process. Healing the breach of trust is a gradual process as well.

For progress – the assistance and support of friends and strangers, the diligence of local law enforcement, and the recovery and return of our equipment – and for the process – continued healing and an eventual return to normalcy – we say Deo Gratias!