I have a headache (big shock) and was only going to put up the song tonight, but I thought I’d give y’all a story that only a couple of people know. Why tonight? Why not. There’s no statute of limitations on shoplifting, as far as I know.
When I was 11, my mom and I were at the mall close to our house. We were in Sears in the coat section, I was looking at scarves. I took two scarves with gloves attached by a plastic clip and stuffed them in my jacket. I didn’t ask my mother for them, I just took them. When I got home I put them under my bed. Someone found them and my dad drove me back to Sears to return them and apologize to the manager. After that he drove to the juvenile hall parking lot and told me that’s where I’d end up if I shoplifted again.
I shoplifted again. I never went to juvenile hall.
It was a compulsion. The next thing I shoplifted was from Eckerd Drugs: a Tiger Beat magazine because Andrew McCarthy’s picture was in it. I had just turned 12.
Next it was flip up sunglasses like Duckie’s in Pretty in Pink.
Once I was in high school it was mainly only took books. Lots of books. At that point I remember feeling like I should have them. A few years ago when Breaking Bad went off the air, Betsy Brandt, who played Marie, said “I don’t think it’s stealing if it’s something you should have.” And that’s exactly how I felt. Not that I deserved these things, but that they should be mine.
None of my friends knew about this. I only told one friend several months ago, but I’m not positive that they really heard my confession. But that’s ok, I confessed to God years and years later.
After high school and college, I graduated to expensive items. A Sac purse. Cashmere sweater. Talbots belt. A set of Ralph Lauren Sheets. A huge set of ink for stamps. A watch. An end table. And a ficus tree.
Yes, a ficus tree.
That was the end. I knew I was done. The urge was gone and I asked God to forgive me. And I didn’t shoplift again.
So, why did tell you all that? To say that we all have something. Some monkey on our backs. I don’t know what you’re carrying, but you can leave it behind. So, do it. Leave it behind.
Still a great song I’ll always love.
kerryfaler.blog 