FIRST LIE

I was probably 6 or 7 years old.

At the dinner table, my father caught me in a lie. I don't remember the specifics.

The results were shocking - this had never happened before. He told me to leave the table, go to the living room and sit on the couch. 

I remember that at the time we had a comfortable, deep-blue, soft couch.  I sat in the middle of it wondering what was going to happen.

My parents and my sister, Beverly, seemed to eat the rest of the meal in silence.

After what seemed like a long time, my parents walked into the living room and stood across the coffee table from me. I felt so small. They looked so big.

My father spoke.

My mother stood beside him quietly crying.

"Son, up until today you've always told the truth. But from here on in, when you speak with us we're always going to be wondering: 'Is he telling us the truth, or is he telling another lie?'"

I wondered why I'd lied. I felt terrible that I had disappointed my parents! I loved them and they loved me. 

I didn't realize it at the time, but it was a pivotal moment for me.

In my young mind - I reasoned things out and determined that I had a choice to make. I would either be a liar or a truth-teller. 

There was no debate!

After seeing the pain my lie had caused my parents, I made up my mind - in that moment - that I would be a truth-teller!

And to this day, I am still committed to be a truth-teller.

It guides me in conversations, in filling out forms, and in filing our taxes. I felt the anguish of being caught once and I never want that to happen again!