Thief!!

I was raised with too much guilt (Catholic) and fear of hell to touch anything in a store!

I sort of pictured God up there with a big chart that had my name and then all of my sins listed and tallied. And I had my share of sins as a little kid--swearing, impure thoughts, hitting my brothers, not doing my chores when asked, talking back to my parents . . . . once when I was in confession when I was pretty small I couldn't think of many sins, so I threw out "adultery" (had no idea what it was but it sounded like a pretty good sin)--the priest sort of stopped and I am pretty sure he knew who it was (the screen was not that opaque)--so I had to say three extra "Hail Marys."

So I guess you could say I was an adultress (even though I had no idea what it was) which may be worse than thievery!

My mother and yours must be related. She made me take it back, explain to the manager what I had done and apologize. I don't remember what he said really, just the humiliation. I never took anything else. Ever.

Oh, "it" was a prune (an undried one). The biggest, fattest, juiciest prune you ever saw. It had bites out of it when she made me take it back. So in addition to the 'thief' humiliation, I also felt like a greedy hog.

He let me keep it. My Mom made me eat it. It wasn't good anymore though. ;-(

I shoplifted only twice in my life. I didn't get caught. I felt that I did it to impress other kids and to me that was my worst crime. I stopped and have led an honest life since. I don't do anything to impress anyone. I do what I do because I feel it is right for me. I do not allow myself to be measured by the negative expectations of others. That is the best way to becoem common because anyone worthwhile, doesn't judge others. I was taught right from wrong and I also feel much better about myself when I earn what I have.

Even in business, I believe that it isn't a deal unless both parties leave ther table feeling they got a fair shake.

I'll bet that was one plum that was hard to swallow.

I'll only tell if you promise not to tell anyone.

Who would I tell? I don't know anyone.

ok, this stays between you & me Pru.

My parents owned a grocery store. I worked behind the candy counter from 1st grade to 6th till we moved upstate. I used to bring lots of candy to school in my lunch bag to give to my friends.

Shhhh. don't tell, ok?