Meigan's Journey - Becoming a Family of Five: December 2007

As if the holidays haven't been hard enough, I feel like the Grinch has got the best of me. Let me explain.
The kids and I came up to Gatlinburg Wed. to spend some time with my parents and for me to recover from a nasty cold. I hadn't taken the kids to see Santa so we found out Santa was going to be at the Christmas Store on Thurs. So, the next day, that's where we go. Of course when we get there he's on break so I sat down on some little benches and read to the girls while we wait. We get the picture taken and leave, only I didn't realize till later I had left my camera (in its bag) sitting on the bench. Three hrs. later, we go back to the store to find it, thinking surely it's been turned in to guest services. I had a sinking feeling in my stomach when nothing had been turned in. All we could do was wait till Fri. so we could talk to the Elf girl who was taking the pictures. Fri. comes and we are there first thing and Elf girl smiles and I asked her if she had seen a camera bag left sitting on the bench. She then described the bag perfectly and stupid me thinks she going to pull out it from a back room or something, and she said she set it down by the stand(that the computer was sitting on)she was so busy she didn't notice anyone taking it and obviously to ignorant to put it in a safer spot, let alone turn it in! I'm beyond boiling at this point and told her she should have put it in a safe place until she could turn it in, (in a not so nice tone of voice). Then in front of parents waiting for Santa, she starts crying and runs off into a back room. The mgr. who was standing there, too and aware of the situation since the night before just stands there! This is the lady who told us "Oh yes, if she had found it, she would have immediately turned it in." when we were there Thurs.
So long story short, my camera and picture card were stolen and somebody is going to get a nice new camera for Christmas. Here's the sad thing, you almost had to be getting pictures taken to see the bag sitting by the computer. Nothing like setting that kind of example for your kids. Finders keepers, losers weepers.
Granted, it could have been my purse, which would have been much worse, but none the less, my pictures can not be replaced and it makes me sick to think there are such heartless people.
My Christmas spirit has been dampened even more due to someones greed. Please be careful with your belongings when you are out and about as having something stolen is a tough pill to swallow.