To the perpetrator who stole my tapestry:

Because you are now the new owner of what was special to me, I want you to know a little of its history. I think you might find it interesting, because I'm fairly certain you did not take it for warmth, due to other more substantial fabrics around to take, and it definitely would have required more than a minimal effort to remove my tapestry from my market booth in downtown Portland, which leads me to believe you simply thought it special enough to take specifically. Thank you. It was.
It is fairly simple in looks, but maybe you felt it had something else to it. Tan and black, perhaps batik, although I was never certain, with bold Indian style borders of simplified palm leaves and geometric shapes with a strong saddled elephant (yet no rider) in the center hearing its trunk up in confident joy.
I was the owner of that tapestry for fifteen years. It was a loved item in high-school. It was on my wall in college. Above my bed when I moved to Portland. And the canopy for my sales booth for seven years, where you found it one night.
You may not know, but I always felt that the elephant on that tapestry was my own personal Ganesha. If you are unfamiliar, all you need know is that he is known as The Remover of Obstacles. It may be a silly belief or superstition but I felt a connection with my elephant, and that he protected me, cleared my paths before me, protected me from storms, brought me luck and success.
The other thing about Ganesha you might find interesting is that he is also known as The Lord of Beginnings. I think you have taken my tapestry, but I also think it has been given to you.
I don't know how much crime you might be involved with (I know, guiltily, I have stolen in my lifetime and have lived enough to pay for it karmically) what demons might be on your back, or what simple struggles are in your life as we all have. But I hope it protects you in this world, and breaks down any walls that stand in your way of doing what is right in this life. All things happen for a reason, our actions can have strange ramifications, and many times, acts of hate or unlawfulness or pride or stupidity can help us walk the better path later in life.
May it serve you as it has served me.