My Schwinn StingRay got ripped off in the 1970's and it was a hard thing to get over. Mom softened the blow a bit by explaining that the person that took it probably needed it really badly but was too embarrassed or scared to ask me to use it.

2 things strike me here.

1. You were a bike riding aged boy in the 70’s? Wow! You always were in your thirties in my imaginary painting of you. Cool, so you are likely in your 4th or 5th decade of life.
2. Your mother was so sweet, bless her heart.