I was in Grade 1 or kindergarten. Pardon me if I can't tell you which grade I was because I honestly could not remember. My mother used to rent out the spare bedroom we have to earn some extra cash. She would always get "Lady Bedspacers". These "lady bedspacers" are studying in a technical school near from our house. So since these were ladies, they would always have their own kikay kit. When they're not at home I would sneak out in their bedroom (I wonder today why their room isn't locked!haha) and feast myself on their makeups and beauty products. There was one particular powder that I thought was cute and I heard the angel on my left side tell me "Hey, you have the right to get that if you like that, this is your house anyway." So I listened to him and got out of the room.
Later that afternoon I stayed outside our house. I was holding the powder and I wasn't at ease. At that young age I didn't know yet that that feeling was a sign of guilt. I was staring at the powder and somehow I can hear someone tell me that "It's okay, you have the right to do it." But I could not resist the other voice who is persistent and tells me that I should give it back. When the lady came home she informed my mother about her missing powder. You see, these ladies thought that it was logical to point the finger on me since I am the one who always mess up with their makeup like crashing their makeup foundations, emptying a jar of moisturizers, etc. My mother called for me and I didn't want to come near her. But mothers have this sort of power to make you come to them even if you don't want to. She talked to me alone and asked me why did I do it? She didn't even spank me. She just talked to me in a very calm voice. ( I wonder how she does that). Then she told me one thing that I will never forget.
"Jesus doesn't want you to steal. That's why he said 'Thou shall not steal.' Imagine if your stuff was stolen too, how would you feel? You have an angel on your side who always tell you not to do the bad things listen to him."
I didn't know what to say I felt like crying. She said I should return the powder to ate (a term used to call an older lady as a sign of respect) and say sorry. I think that was the first lecture I hear regarding saying 'sorry'. I followed her advice and promised not to mess up with the ladies' stuff again.
I am not proud that as a child I used to steal. But I am proud I have a mother who loved and guided me to the right path.
