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When you want something that isn't yours
When I was about ten years old, some kids I knew began shoplifting at a big store in our town. They would come back and show off the toys and other stuff they’d stolen, and I’d practically drool. I was tempted to join them, but I couldn’t quite bring myself to do it. It wasn’t just that I was afraid of getting caught. There was more to it.
I remember sitting on the sidewalk one day after they left and having a good long think about it. What if I just went ahead and took whatever I wanted, any time I wanted? There was quite a list of things I was longing for that my parents couldn’t afford. What if I could have them all right now just by stealing? The prospect was exciting.

October 31, 2016 issue
View Issue-
Letters
Alice Lee Perez, Pat Spencer
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When you want something that isn't yours
Nancy Mullen
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Angels to the rescue
Margaret Jane Seymour
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One Ego, one harmonious government
David C. Kennedy
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Love is always right
Steve Cole
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Blessed by prayer
Ute Keller
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Under pressure
Jenny Sawyer
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Freed from social anxiety
Lisa Andrews
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‘No ugliness in my expression’
Pete Maurer
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Severe ankle injury healed
Norm Bleichman
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Kitten healed of congenital malformation
Sandra Silvernail
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'Undisturbed amid the jarring testimony of the material senses ...'
Photograph by Allan Rowe
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Seeing through the claim of pain
Deborah Huebsch