Our Second Collection Journey

I picked up the second collection from Trish who makes the multiples of my designs the morning of September 12, 2020. Bracelets, necklaces and earrings each delicately made by hand. Ready to finally launch this collection I had been working on for months, some designs even dating back to January 2020. Needless to say a LOT of time and dedication went into this.

I rolled up the bag of my jewelry and hid it as I ran into Safeway on my way home. I was on the phone with my sister in law as I got out of my car telling her how excited I was about picking this collection up.

Ten minutes. That’s how long I was in the store.

As I was walking back to my car about six feet away I saw through the drivers side window what looked to be like a shattered passenger side window.

Those six feet walking to my car felt like a mile and that the entire world froze. My mind said “no, no that’s the car next to yours, your collection is safe”.

Then I got closer.

It was my car window.

And the collection was gone.

I put my heart and soul into this. So much time and money that I work very hard for was just gone.

My knees went weak and I lost it.

I called my parents and could not spit it out. As their daughter is historically crying on the phone not knowing what was going on they were very worried so I knew I had to find the strength to collect myself enough to tell them I was physically okay. I then spit out enough words for them to understand what was going on.

911 was who I called next once I was a little more collected. They weren’t able to come out since I had no information about a suspect so I just filed a report online.

Next, I went to the Safeway manager (let’s call him Paul because I don’t remember his name) to see if he could see my car in the surveillance camera but it didn’t reach my car. Paul said they had gotten a few complaints during that time of someone looking through cars.

I got in my car, shut the door and just sat there.

Little did the thief know how valuable those pieces are and how those pieces help support orphans with disabilities.

Five minutes later Paul approaches my car again, “You said it was a black bag that the jewelry was in, right?”

“Yes”, I said with a little bit of hope

“Do you think that could be it?” As he points in the far distance

I jump out of my car to see someone about a block and a half away carrying a few bags heading to the bus station. I really had no idea whether one of those were my bags or not but I was ready to make a run for it and then a bus pulled up and blocked my view of him.

“I really have to get going ‘home’” I told Paul.

I hop into my car and zip out of that parking lot.

Two cars in between me and that bus, bus 67. I don’t think I have ever had so much lack of patience. It felt like Every car and every light was going at snail speed. Finally the bus stops so I slow down and get right behind it closely watching everyone that gets off at that station.

I followed that bus for a few miles until all of a sudden I lost the bus. I wasn’t ready to give up so I drove around for about 20 minutes looking for bus 67 and then accepted the fact that I probably wouldn’t see those pieces ever again.

It’s funny how “brave” you become when adrenal is running through your body.

I called my parents back up again very upset. Then, my dad said a prayer that went something like this: “Lord, turn this evil into good. We pray that whoever comes in contact with that jewelry, they will feel an overwhelming amount of Your presence and love, leading people to You.”

And that is what I continue to pray.

These past few years my family has pushed through challenging times. But one thing always stands true, we live in the Truth and the Light knowing that our God is good. Doing good in the name of the Lord is what we live for.

And that is how I will run my business. In the Truth and in the Light not matter any evil intent that tries to prevail.

xo,

Grace Berg, Founder & Designer