A Family From Yosemite Story
By Martha Reynders Blair
I have this vague memory of an experience that happened over
60 years ago. It’s so long ago that it seems like a dream.
Certain parts are rather sketchy, but surprisingly I specifically
remember the grocery store I was in. The building still stands
on the corner of Lancaster Blvd. and Elm. I even remember the
area where the car was parked. It’s funny the details I recall.
Even though I don’t remember a lot of precise information of
what transpired that day, I do remember the feelings of
my heart.
60 years ago. It’s so long ago that it seems like a dream.
Certain parts are rather sketchy, but surprisingly I specifically
remember the grocery store I was in. The building still stands
on the corner of Lancaster Blvd. and Elm. I even remember the
area where the car was parked. It’s funny the details I recall.
Even though I don’t remember a lot of precise information of
what transpired that day, I do remember the feelings of
my heart.
I was grocery shopping with my mother. I had to have been
very little. My head did not reach the top of the counter that
was in front of me. I even remember cocking my head back
and standing on my tippy toes to see where the groceries had
been place, but it was all beyond my sight. My mother was in
the process of purchasing our items. I say “purchasing,” but I
really didn’t know anything about money. I was quite innocent
and unaware. I stood there at the final array of goodies. There
was plenty within my reach because the display went all the
way to the floor. I spotted some candy I liked, picked out a
piece, and placed it in my pocket.
very little. My head did not reach the top of the counter that
was in front of me. I even remember cocking my head back
and standing on my tippy toes to see where the groceries had
been place, but it was all beyond my sight. My mother was in
the process of purchasing our items. I say “purchasing,” but I
really didn’t know anything about money. I was quite innocent
and unaware. I stood there at the final array of goodies. There
was plenty within my reach because the display went all the
way to the floor. I spotted some candy I liked, picked out a
piece, and placed it in my pocket.
I didn’t understand the workings of the Spirit then, but I can
look back on the situation now and certainly know that I was
being taught. As soon as the candy entered my pocket, I got
this sinking feeling. I knew it wasn’t right that I had taken it.
It seemed so natural and appealing to pick it up, but now this
darkness had perforated my heart. Even so, I didn’t put it
back, but instead followed close by my mother out to the car,
all along being preoccupied with the possession in my pocket
and hoping this uncomfortable feeling would go away.
look back on the situation now and certainly know that I was
being taught. As soon as the candy entered my pocket, I got
this sinking feeling. I knew it wasn’t right that I had taken it.
It seemed so natural and appealing to pick it up, but now this
darkness had perforated my heart. Even so, I didn’t put it
back, but instead followed close by my mother out to the car,
all along being preoccupied with the possession in my pocket
and hoping this uncomfortable feeling would go away.
I’m not quite sure of everything that transpired after I climbed
into the car. I don’t know if my mother saw me - with those
eyes in the back of her head - pull the candy out of my pocket
or if I promptly popped up in the seat and showed her what I
had. My mother wasn’t angry with me, but she made it clear
I should not have taken the candy. If she had explained that
we should have bought the candy first, I don’t think even then
I would have understood the purchasing power of money.
It was beyond me at that point and seemed irrelevant. I had
taken something that did not belong to me and my mother was
certain I needed to return the candy and tell the cashier that
I was sorry.
into the car. I don’t know if my mother saw me - with those
eyes in the back of her head - pull the candy out of my pocket
or if I promptly popped up in the seat and showed her what I
had. My mother wasn’t angry with me, but she made it clear
I should not have taken the candy. If she had explained that
we should have bought the candy first, I don’t think even then
I would have understood the purchasing power of money.
It was beyond me at that point and seemed irrelevant. I had
taken something that did not belong to me and my mother was
certain I needed to return the candy and tell the cashier that
I was sorry.
Oh, the dread of it all! I did not want to talk with anyone about
this. I knew what I had done was wrong. I already got that, but
going through the process of returning the candy and
apologizing weighed on me. It was a long walk back into the
store and it seemed even longer as I stood there with my mother
as we waited for an opportunity to talk with someone. I was
nervous to say the least. I remember looking more at the ground
than the face of the one that I had to face. Again, no one was
angry with me as I returned the candy and mumbled my
apology. I was very sorry. Those terrible feelings
overwhelmed my insides and I wished it had never happened.
this. I knew what I had done was wrong. I already got that, but
going through the process of returning the candy and
apologizing weighed on me. It was a long walk back into the
store and it seemed even longer as I stood there with my mother
as we waited for an opportunity to talk with someone. I was
nervous to say the least. I remember looking more at the ground
than the face of the one that I had to face. Again, no one was
angry with me as I returned the candy and mumbled my
apology. I was very sorry. Those terrible feelings
overwhelmed my insides and I wished it had never happened.
The person we talked with was very supportive and thanked me
for returning the candy. Even though I didn’t see it, for some
reason I think everyone in the store was smiling down on me.
They seemed pleased and very understanding of this first early
lesson regarding the command, “Thou shalt not steal”
(Exodus 20:15).
for returning the candy. Even though I didn’t see it, for some
reason I think everyone in the store was smiling down on me.
They seemed pleased and very understanding of this first early
lesson regarding the command, “Thou shalt not steal”
(Exodus 20:15).
We were soon walking away and as we walked that oppressive
feeling I once had in my heart dissipated and was quickly
replaced with this happy feeling knowing I had done the right
thing. What a relief! I can’t believe how young I was in
receiving these spiritual impressions and understanding them.
I don’t think I could have explained all this then, but with age
I can now say with confidence, it was a witness of the Spirit.
It isn’t in my nature to steal things. I don’t believe I have ever
taken anything since, evidently, it was a lesson well learned.
feeling I once had in my heart dissipated and was quickly
replaced with this happy feeling knowing I had done the right
thing. What a relief! I can’t believe how young I was in
receiving these spiritual impressions and understanding them.
I don’t think I could have explained all this then, but with age
I can now say with confidence, it was a witness of the Spirit.
It isn’t in my nature to steal things. I don’t believe I have ever
taken anything since, evidently, it was a lesson well learned.
Now jump ahead some 30 plus years and I’m standing in line
at the grocery store ready for check out with my own brood.
Cassie was my youngest of four at the time. She was as cute,
as cute as can be. She was an extraordinary delight! My early
experience crossed my mind as I looked down and could see
that her curly blonde head did not reach the top of the counter
where the conveyor belt would eventually take my groceries to
be tallied and bagged.
at the grocery store ready for check out with my own brood.
Cassie was my youngest of four at the time. She was as cute,
as cute as can be. She was an extraordinary delight! My early
experience crossed my mind as I looked down and could see
that her curly blonde head did not reach the top of the counter
where the conveyor belt would eventually take my groceries to
be tallied and bagged.
She wanted a piece of candy and I said, “No.” I can’t remember,
but it wouldn’t surprise me if I had given my oft-time lecture as
we sat in the car before we entered the store, “We are not
getting anything extra - so don’t even ask!” But she was the
youngest with her little wily ways and as generous as I like to
think I am I would have given her the world if I could. It wasn’t
an option. I wondered if she would want to steal something with
my mostly consistent, “No, we are not getting anything.”
I looked at her bright shining face and figured I quiz her, to
but it wouldn’t surprise me if I had given my oft-time lecture as
we sat in the car before we entered the store, “We are not
getting anything extra - so don’t even ask!” But she was the
youngest with her little wily ways and as generous as I like to
think I am I would have given her the world if I could. It wasn’t
an option. I wondered if she would want to steal something with
my mostly consistent, “No, we are not getting anything.”
I looked at her bright shining face and figured I quiz her, to
see where her understanding was. I asked, “Cassie, when you
ask for something at the store and Mommy tells you ‘No,’ what
would you do next?” Being precocious and flashing a big grin,
she quickly replied, “Oh, I know exactly what to do - I’d go ask
Grandma!” I Immediately started to laugh and she laughed too.
Oh boy! I knew my mother and I knew Cassie had it all
figured out.
ask for something at the store and Mommy tells you ‘No,’ what
would you do next?” Being precocious and flashing a big grin,
she quickly replied, “Oh, I know exactly what to do - I’d go ask
Grandma!” I Immediately started to laugh and she laughed too.
Oh boy! I knew my mother and I knew Cassie had it all
figured out.
I Believe in Being Honest
Words: Ruth Muir Gardner, 1927–1999. © 1986 IRI
Music: Lyall J. Gardner, b. 1926. © 1986
I believe in being honest;
I believe in being true,
That honesty should start with me
In all I say, in all I do.
I’ll form good habits in my youth,
To keep my word, to tell the truth,
To speak up in defending right
And keep my name and honor bright.
I believe in being honest;
I believe in being true,
That honesty should start with me
In all I say, in all I do.