(( PREFACE: I sent this to the Tribune Editor, but apparently, this was NOT important enough to print. I was almost mugged on 9/27, a Saturday, at around 4pm, broad daylight.))

This is an open letter to my muggers.

Yes! Plural. Yes, you read that right. I'd like to tell my almost muggers,"Thank you!"

Remember me? The heavy set with long blonde hair, dark sunglasses with a 7 year old girl with glasses?

First off, when you ran up behind me to grab my bag, upon your girlfriend(?) pointing me out to you, my full cart you dumped over in your getaway did NOT land on my daughter. For that, I thank you.

Secondly, you reminded me why I moved out of this city. Too many people have moved here, and it's people like YOU who give this place a bad name! You then went on to Food 4 Less to snatch someone elses bag. Shame on you!

Really, I should be thanking you for showing me that the people of Paso are really great. You excluded, of course. I'd like to thank Becky and Guillermo (from Atascadero and Santa Margarita, respectively) that took the time to speak with Ofc. Pickerd. He arrived within minutes of my 911 call. Thank you, Ofc Pickerd!

I'd like to thank the other people,too- but I didn't get your names. You stopped to help identify the inept muggers. Another kind woman stopped,too and told me she, as well, had been targeted there at Wal-Mart. She gave my daughter a warm hug and then proceeded to warn other women as they walked in about their purses. Thank you, ALL of you, truly from the bottom of my heart.

Wal-mart people were nowhere to be found? I was there almost an hour out in your parking lot after this incident. Thank you! You've lost a customer!.

So,my dear would-be muggers, you gave me gifts today. Thank you!

Signed,

I still have my bag, ASSHOLES!

PS, How does it feel to be a failure at even a mugging?