Last week Josh went to a conference in the D.C. area. He stayed at the same hotel he always stays and attended the daily events. He was invited to perform this year and the piece he chose to do was one that required him to bring out laptop computer. He performed on Wed. and brought the computer back to the room at the end of the day. He left on Thursday to attend another day of events and this time he could relax and just enjoy the exhibits. He left the laptop in its bag in the hotel room (a locked hotel room.)
He was gone all day and when he returned late that night he discovered the laptop was gone. He did what any one of us would do and he immediately went down to the front desk to report this. He was not offered much help by any of the hotel staff or the police. We realize that it is just a material item and I am certainly glad that nothing happened to him. The room was not broken into...the computer was taken by someone who had access to that room.
These kinds of events that happen to us remind us of what is most important. Obviously if we travel again with any type of equipment, musical instrument, jewelry, what have you, we will take precautions. But sometimes you can't prevent everything. The person or persons responsible have no doubt done this before. It is really a testament to the fact that basic trust is gone in most cases. Not only that, but even basic human courtesy of helping the guests of your hotel have gone by the wayside.
We are over the shock of this now and have moved on to praying for those responsible. Although we are still angered when we think about it. Needless to say, Josh will never stay at this particular hotel ever again and he has warned all of his friends and colleagues about this as well.
Whenever your privacy is invaded and something of value is taken you have to shake yourself free of the "why" and think more about the "ok, what do I need to do to take care of this". It becomes more about recovery and moving forward and trying to let go of the bitterness.
God Bless,
HB
