H Is For Honesty; A Letter

Dearest Lilly,

As your wise and doting mother, I feel it absolutely necessary to teach you solid, moral standards. The world has a lot of truly tremendous and wonderful things to offer, BUT sometimes it is like a pond. There is a lot of scum out there! It is imperative for you to maintain your integrity. Cling to the value of honesty. I want you to always tell the truth!

When you want to fib about smacking your little sister in the head for stealing one of your Barbie cars and rolling it down the stairs, truthfully tell me what really happened. Because I already know what happened. (Thanks to the eyes in the back of my head.) When you long to fudge the truth about calling your brother an idiot, just be honest. Be honest, be honest, be honest.

Accept responsibility for your own actions. When your report card is sent home, don't hide it. If you get a "D" in English, you'd better own up to it. If you don't, I WILL make you read Shakespeare the ENTIRE summer break. (Your mama has an English degree!  Don't think I won't do it!) While your friends are lounging around the community pool, you'll be memorizing passages from Othello.

Thinking about lying? Try to consider the ugly consequences. When you are tempted to lie to me about being out all night with a shady hooligan who drives a Camaro and answers to the name "Toker," don't. Tell the truth. Your lying will only hurt yourself, your conscience, and your character.

It is important to be honest, and...

Alright, alright! I admit it! This letter is not entirely about pointing your moral compass in the right direction! Truth is, I must confess something to you. I should be practicing what I'm preaching. And because I feel so strongly about the principle of honesty I must "come clean" about something.

A couple of days ago you asked me, "What are you eating?" I answered, "Almonds," knowing how you despise snacking on nuts.

I lied. I'm so sorry. I lied to you because I did not want to share with you.

They were chocolate mini eggs.

Forgive me and remember, "to thine own self be true,"
Your Mama Leisha
(Who has been reformed. Honest.)