Somebody broke into our office building and stole from Bill's cash box- also wedding and engagement rings and checkbooks from Joanna's desk - and worst of all, Ruth's cameras and professional lenses. They left her lights but so many of the tools of her trade are just gone! We've spent the afternoon talking to police and various people to insurance people - getting locks changed. One of the things they stole was Joanna's house key and they have her address. My personal office was messed up but nothing was stolen. These people wanted cash and pawnable stuff and left my art alone. I think I'm most upset in mother bear mode. My daughters work for or with me and the space I've set aside for them was not safe and they were violated. I'm irrationally angry at myself for not having been able to keep them safe. I know its not my fault and they're grown women but.... I'm also distressed with the attitude of the police, like this isn't a big deal. Thousands of dollars of things (including cash from one partner's box) were stolen. I know nobody was hurt or killed but I still wanted more attention. I believe there is a chance some of Ruth's things will show up in a pawn shop or on Craig's list or EBay, so she is checking. She seems pretty shaken - not at all sure she will get her business running again, and Joanna is so sad about the rings. I tell myself the thieves were drug addicts, crazy for a fix, bereft of the empathy to know what suffering their act caused - the possible death of a young artist's dream, the loss of symbolic as well as valuable jewelry. I think that, even with our losses, we are in much better shape than they are, but I still feel violated and hurt - also angry.