17 years ago, I was dragged along the pavement, from the top of this alley-like driveway, almost to the sidewalk below. I held tightly onto the strap of my bag until it finally snapped on both ends, and my mugger made off with $10 cash and an old flip phone.
I lived in fear every day for almost a year, springing out of the shower with a metal bat in hand whenever I heard a noise, consoled each time only by the fact that my cat, Simon (RIP), was unbothered. I knew if he was calm, the possible intruder was only in my head.
I returned to this spot this past weekend to reconnect from a space of healing and empowerment, and Spirit’s shining rainbow stream of sunlight felt like a promise — a badge of honor for this gift of life.
I pedaled downtown feeling the full gravity of transformation. Upon my return ride toward home, as soon as I again reached the block of that fateful incident, I happened upon this crow feather. Worn and weathered, but still whole.
Just like me.
I do forgive the man who mugged me. I know we both affected one another in powerful ways that night. He’d never met a little girl with such courage, responding to his insistence that he would have my bag with kicks, punches and growls. And I’d never known an attacker to pause after securing his bounty and ask if I was alright. Our story hit the radio waves, The Girl with the Heart of a Lion and the Mugger with the Heart of Gold. 💛
I pray his life is as transformed for the better as mine has become since that day in 2008.