A few weeks ago, I drove a seventy-ish friend to the grocery store. She made her purchases and, while checking out, asked the checker to give her ten dollars worth of quarters. The checker did so. When the transaction was completed, the checker handed her a $10 bill as well. My friend gently pointed out the mistake. Flushed, the woman thanked her for her honesty.
Like many seniors, my friend lives on a fixed income. An extra ten dollars would come in handy, but it never occurred to her to keep the money. Her integrity could not be bought.
Contrast this with the actions of politicians, large company owners, and celebrities.
Too many of our country's leaders demonstrate on a daily basis that their integrity can be bought--with junkets, privileges, and bribes. The CEOs of major businesses embezzle from their investors, robbing hundreds of thousands of people of their hard-come-by retirement funds. Celebrities flaunt their affairs with a wink and a smirk.
The elastic morals of such people who claim the spotlight too often convince me that such behavior is not only accepted but is also to be expected. My friend's unwavering honesty was a much-needed reminder that individuals who respect themselves and others do exist.
So, for today, I am grateful for honest people and the example they set.
Thank you for that story, Jane. It's nice to know we aren't alone trying to lead a moral life. You're right that the people in the spotlight don't reflect this.
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