Identity

Dear Peighton,

It is snowing here again!  I think we got a total of 5 inches today but that is way more than I can handle considering we got almost 2 feet last week.  When it snows, I have to admit, we do not leave the house.  We have been inside all day long.  I think you might get a little bored as you seem as restless as I do.  We had fun doing some exercises, playing, and making beef stew though.  I think you spent a little too much time in your exercauser but you were having a blast with it so I let you hang out there.

I took a little time today to make sure your identity has not been stolen but it turns out that the credit reporting agencies make it really hard to ensure you are safe.  I was unable to request a report for you because you are under the age of thirteen.  I should explain why I am having to do that I suppose....
Well, a few weeks ago I noticed that a social security card was in my wallet and assumed it was mine (and in a stupid place like my wallet from when I had needed it for a W-9).  I went to take it out and it was gone.  I thought, "hmm, maybe I took it out and don't remember" (yes, I can be a bit of a spaceshot lately) but I also noticed that the cash was missing from my wallet.  Again, I though, "maybe I spent it" but I knew full well that I did not.  A few days later, I went to take my GPS out as we were traveling somewhere I did not know how to get to and it was GONE.  That was when I realized we had been robbed!  I also had some thank you notes ready to be sent out on my dashboard that were now in the back seat of the car opened (in hopes that they contained cash).  There we no signs of break in so I must have accidentally left the car unlocked.  I seldom leave it unlocked and I hardly ever leave my wallet in the car but I must have done both on the night someone was lifting car handles to see what good they could steal.  I can't help but think this was a smart thief (if there is such a thing) because none of my credit cards were missing from my wallet - just cash and your SS card.  I am still kicking myself for this.  We have had to go to the Social Security office (which we promptly left as I feared for my life there), call the Federal Trade Commission, request a credit report, speak numerous times with the folks at the Federal Trade Commission....all because I stupidly left your SS card in my wallet, ignorantly left my door unlocked, and was numb enough to leave my wallet in the car.  I like to tell myself that I simply trust people and that is why I did all of that but the truth is, I probably had my hands full when I walked in the house and didn't grab my purse.  What a drag!

I think it will have a happy ending but I feel terrible that we will always have to worry about whether or not some schmuck is out there pretending they are you.  I pray that everything is okay.  Lord knows we have taken all the precautions that we can to ensure your ID is safe since the incident and will continue to do so from here on out.

I love you.

Mom