Some people have no shame. They take what’s not theirs with no sense of guilt. Such people are real pests. In my father’s vocabulary, they are called skunks. They loot and take from others without even asking. Not because they are poor or are in need but because they are plain greedy.
Watching Aunt Matty’s house being looted is a real heartache. When Aunt Mary died, some looters came and took all that was valuable from the home without even asking. They helped themselves to the things the moment Aunt Mary was cremated. Things that brought sentimental value to the family was removed by people whom we knew as well as strangers. None of them asked for permission. To those people, the owner was dead and all that was in that house was theirs to take. After they had taken all they wanted, some of them had the cheek to call us, telling us that we ought to bring what was left behind into our home. Yes, I’m still disappointed towards those people.
When the house was empty, another group of people came to help themselves with the house. They removed all the iron they could find from the house, even the cover of the sewage tank, leaving the compound to stink of sewage. Who on earth gave them the permission I wonder. Often, people blame the drug addicts for it but I doubt the addicts could have done it on their own as the iron gate and doors were huge and heavy, whoever removed them obviously had the right equipment to remove it from the walls and also had a big vehicle to transport it away. Those greedy thieves stole away iron and metal worth more than RM 1000. They stripped my aunt’s house naked, leaving it without windows, doors and grills. Passers-by asked if the house was hunted.
Last month, the real estate agent put up a sign to sell the house and a few buyers did call to enquire. Today, as I rode passed the house, I was shocked to find that someone actually stole the main gate of the house. I am furious. Why are people so thick skinned? Why do they invade into other people’s private land and just take whatever they like? Don’t they even know how to respect others? Why do business in such an unethical and unprofessional manner? Skunks indeed these people are, they invade people’s house and leave a whole lot of heartaches for those who loved Aunts Matty and Mary.

3rd May 08

Dear Stupid Man,

When you wanted to marry her, her mother opposed your relationship because she felt that you were not capable to care for her daughter. You said she judged you too much and claimed that you were way much a better person.

You managed to get things your way and successfully married her despite the opposition. Today, you are forty five, it’s been nine years since you married her and both of you now have a child. At only forty five, you tell your wife that you want to retire. You want to stay at home to care for your child because she needs the supervision of an adult.

I can’t help but wonder how are you going to care for your child when you can’t even cook (all these while you only wait for others to serve you), you don’t even know how to do the laundry, you never sweep the floor and have always expected your wife to do all the housework? The only thing you seem to know is to drive and buy food.

Nine years ago, you swore to her mother that you would be a good husband to her daughter, you claimed that she had misjudged you. Today, you made a decision that requires your wife to work extra harder because she is going to be the sole income provider in your family, you have placed all the important responsibilities on the shoulders of the woman you vowed to look after at your wedding. How could you?

When I hear of husbands like you, I just feel like giving you a good punch in the face. I pray that you will not age that fast due to your early retirement because I do not hope to see your wife overworked just to pay for your medical bills.