Carson, The Penitent Thief

So after dinner last night, we stopped into a bookstore to see if they had a certain book for Cherisse to read. The store had a childrens section, with a few toys the kids could pick up, play with, and beg for mommy to buy them. The main toy that the boys chose to play with, of course was the Thomas the train table with tracks and multiple trains. Carson really wanted a specific train that had a tractor scoop on it (forgive me for not knowing this train's name, but I can almost hear most of you saying it now). He asked on multiple occasions if he could have it, but of couse the answer was no. After some time we left, travelled home about 5 miles, and when we got there, Carson says, "Hey look what I just found on the floor." You guessed it, the train he wanted so bad just so happened to appear on the floor of our duplex. Nice. So, in order to get him to take it back with me, I had to tell him that a police man would come get him if we did not take it back. He went with it and we headed back to the store. I coached him along the way to the store and tried to make it as much a learning experience as possible. We get there, and at least to my credit, I find the kindest looking girl in the store for him to apologize to as opposed to the big bald security guard we passed on the way in. I don't know if it was harder on him or me, but we were both on the verge of tears. The store clerk was sweet and patient as Carson fought to get the words out clearly. After it was over, all he wanted was to be in his daddy's arms. I felt a little comforted by an old woman patting me on the back and telling me, "that's a hard lesson learned." On the ride home I asked him how he felt and he said it felt like he was sick or going to throw up while talking to the clerk, but that he felt a lot better having done the right thing. He now also assures me that he will follow how he feels inside in choosing to do the right thing.