Freedom

Another Old Woman story, and again, please forgive if I've told this one before.

When the Old Woman was 5 years old, she decided she was going to hell. She had swiped a cookie or two from the cookie jar without asking first. Her mother easily discovered the transgression. But, the young version of the Old Woman was just stubborn enough that she would not admit to the crime.

Her mother tried every manner of parental reasoning. But, no confession was forthcoming. So, her mother sent her outside, to stand under the large oak tree in their front yard, to think about changing her story.

While thinking, one of the Old Woman's siblings stopped to talk to her, recognizing the punishment. After hearing why she had been sent outside to think, he quipped "you know, if you tell Mother a lie, you'll go to hell" and he wandered off.

The Old Woman says that she balled her hands into fists and said to herself "fine, I'll just go to hell then."

She says it's rather liberating to have that pressure off you at such a young age.