Drama and Trauma on Florida Vacation

By Al Horn

For me, the first week in June became memorable in a way I would never have imagined. What started off as a fun vacation turned sour in the middle of the week when my wallet was stolen on the beach under several people's noses.

My wife, our grandchildren, and I flew to Orlando, Florida for some fun in the sun. We checked into a timeshare resort just before the Memorial Day holiday with the intent of lying around the pool and visiting relatives. As a bonus, we decided to take a day trip to Cocoa Beach.

After setting up next to a lifeguard stand and several people watching the water, I popped down to the beach to snap a few pictures. I was gone for ten minutes. When I returned to our umbrella, our beach bag was open and my wallet gone. I was shocked.

My first thought was "not me, I had been so careful". I searched all of our things in hope that it had been misplaced. I loudly announced it was missing hoping somebody would be able to tell me they had witnessed the event. No such luck. One older fellow told me I should have left it in the car. Great advise, just a little too late. The lifeguard wasn't much help. One couple told me to check with the ranger station.

I looked around to see if anybody was moving away while looking over his or her shoulder at me. For the most part, anybody more than ten or twenty feet away were oblivious to a crime having taken place. Camera in hand, I went down and told my wife.

She could see I was shook up over the incident. She gathered up the kids and we returned to the umbrella. I told her I wanted to look around to see if I could find my wallet in any of the dumpsters in the immediate area. She agreed and reminded me to check the ranger's office. I set off determined to find it.

The ranger told me no wallets had been turned in and encouraged me to make a report. I agreed and she called the police while I checked out garbage cans. I found nothing but it kept my mind busy while waiting for them to arrive. Upon arrival, the police were courteous and helpful in what steps I should take next.

I then gathered up the wife and kids. Dealing with a two-year-old that was having problems getting cleaned and getting dressed also kept my mind off my plight. My wife and I showered, dressed and then went to the car to call the credit card companies. Afterwards, I made a broader search of the area on foot hoping to find something. It meant my wife sitting in a car with two kids that didn't want to be cooped up. She shouldered it well.

Next we drove up the road to a gas station the debit card company had reported the card being used. I searched the cans and found a receipt. I called to have another report taken. A clerk came out and told us of a young man that had tried to use the card inside. Finally, I had a face to put with the crime. This actually brought a sense of relief.

Later, on the ride back to the resort, I was able to joke about what had happen and how it could have been worse. This brought a sigh of relief from my wife.

She later told me I had been operating in a 'post-traumatic' mode. Researching 'thefts' and 'trauma' on the web later confirmed what she had said. I had been shocked at being violated in a personal manner. I was angry at being the victim. I ran around in a disoriented state of mind for a period of time. My little joke was a sign of acceptance and my ability to move forward.

In afterthought, nobody was hurt and we didn't lose a large amount of cash. In less than a week, the credit cards and my drivers license have been replaced. I have restocked the pictures and other sundry items that I normally carry. Well, just about everything. The local burger stand won?t replace the old discount card they gave me years ago. That makes me angry.

Published June of 2004 in The Wentzville Journal