StolenMoments:MyLifeasaThief
Ineverintendedtobecomeathief.ItwasadescentintodarknessthatIneversawcoming.ItallstartedwhenIwasadesperateteenager,strugglingtomakeendsmeet.MyparentshadpassedawayandIhadnootherfamilytoturnto.Idroppedoutofschool,gotalow-payingjob,andrentedasmallroominarundownpartoftown.
TheFirstSteal
Oneday,asIwaswalkinghomefromwork,Inoticedamanleaningagainstawall,holdingawadofcash.HisclotheswereexpensiveandhiswatchlookedlikeitcostmorethanImadeinamonth.Somethinginsideofmesnapped.Iapproachedhimandaskedforthetime.Ashelookeddownathiswatch,IsnatchedthecashfromhishandandranasfastasIcould.ItfeltlikethemostthrillingthingIhadeverdone.
ALifeofCrime
Afterthatfirstsuccessfulsteal,Istartedtoseetheworldinadifferentlight.EverywhereIlooked,Isawopportunitiesfortheft.Pursesleftunattendedatthecoffeeshop,walletshalf-stickingoutofbackpockets,expensivejewelryleftlyingonadresser-theyallbecameeasytargetsforme.Soon,IwasmakingmoremoneyfromstealingthanIeverhadfrommyjob.
TheTurningPoint
Foryears,Icontinuedmylifeofcrime.Itraveledaroundthecountry,stealingfromunsuspectingvictimsateverystop.Butoneday,everythingchanged.Ihadjustsnatchedawoman'spurseandwassprintingawaywhenIheardascream.Iturnedaroundandsawthewomanontheground,clutchingherchest.Shewashavingaheartattack.Ihadneverfeltsoguiltyinmylife.Inthatmoment,Irealizedthatmyactionshadconsequencesbeyondmyownpersonalgain.
Thenextday,Iturnedmyselfintothepolice.Ispentthreeyearsinjail,reflectingonmychoicesandtheharmIhadcaused.WhenIwasreleased,Iworkedhardtoturnmylifearound.IgotmyGED,enrolledincollege,andstartedvolunteeringatalocalcharity.Itwasalonganddifficultroad,butIfinallyfoundawaytousemyskillsforgoodinsteadofevil.IhopethatmystorycanserveasacautionarytaletootherswhomaybetempteddownthesamepaththatIoncewas.
