It was an autumn day, the leaves were falling, the cool crisp air tickled your nose and with every step you could hear the crumble of fallen leaves.
The year was 1996, it was a normal day, filled with the routine as many days before. This day I would find myself with a lesson learned from a 3 year old. We arrived home in the early afternoon, following a day at preschool. My twin boys were only 3 at the time and the wonder of a 3 year old can bring many surprises.
As we approached our front door, with an exciting surprise, both of my boys found a bag of Chips-Ahoy cookie samples with a coupon attached to the door. “Momma, somebody left us cookies, can we eat them now”? Were the words from Tyler, my more reserved child. Just as I opened the door to let my boys in, I turned around and Jordan was nowhere to be seen. He disappeared within seconds. Not a word was spoken, not a crumbling sound of leaves, he was gone. 
Immediately I panicked and ran around to the back of our house, then to the neighbors behind our house, the entire time feeling as though my heart would beat out of my chest with the fear that somebody had taken my child. I ran to the front, just as I was heading up towards each neighbors house, there he was, my little 3 year old boy of wonder, Jordan, holding 6 bags of cookies in his hand. Not only was he so proud, but he was ready to eat every single cookie that he found.
Me standing there, just thankful that my little boy of wonder was OK, with tears in my eyes,
I said, “Jordan, where did you go? Mommy thought somebody took you away”.
He just stared at me.
I said, “Jordan where did you get those cookies?”
He said, “Momma, a guy on his bike rode by and said, “Hey, kid! Do you want more cookies? And I said sure”.
Immediately I clenched my mouth shut, because I was trying to set a good example and not bust up laughing.
I proceeded to ask Jordan, “Did you take them off the neighbors doors?”
He said, “Nope, just the guy on the bike gave them to me”.
I looked over at each of the neighboring homes, no bags of cookies on their doors, no sign of the neighbors being home to grab them already, nothing, but the sign of a 3 year old boy of wonder taking the bags from the doors. 
Now it was up to me to set a good example and have him do the right thing.
So, I said, “Jordan, you know, you are going to have to put all those cookies back”.
He just stared up at me and grabbed a hold of my hand and one by one we put them back on the doors.
To this day, we have a good laugh when we bring up this story and Jordan will always be left with that lesson learned that he can’t blame “the guy on his bike”.
The reason why I chose to share this story is because every day we are faced with choices and sometimes those choices turn into mistakes. Whether it be personally or professionally, the question should always be asked, “do I own up to my mistakes”? Rather than blaming it on “the innocent guy on his bike” who may or may not exist, just accept that you are human and work on making it right. There is just no other way around it. I’ve made my share of mistakes and consciously, I choose to look at myself in the mirror with peace and/or confront that person face to face and own up to it, with honesty, integrity, and dignity.
5 Steps to Making it Right:
A man should never be ashamed to own he has been in the wrong, which is but saying... that he is wiser today than he was yesterday. ~Alexander Pope, in Swift, Miscellanies
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Julie Neerings, GRI- Heart of Utah Real Estate Copyright © 2008- If you are considering buying, selling, military relocations to Hill AFB or relocating to Utah, you deserve local expertise and advice to be provided by a professional in real estate. Julie Neerings is a Utah REALTOR® providing full time, professional real estate services to buyers and sellers in the cities of Layton, Bountiful, Woods Cross, West Valley, West Jordan, South Jordan, Riverton, Herriman and all surrounding cities.
Whether you are buying or selling property along the Wasatch Front in Utah, my goal is to provide you with the resources and tools you need to make the best decision in your real estate investments.
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Good post Julie. Yep, own up to your mistakes. Admit them and move on.
Hi Julie,
I know that same feeling, I once lost my son for a whole split second at the beach when he was about the same age. What a valuable lesson you taught your little one that day, always be accountable for your own mistakes. Good job! :)
I am a huge believer to step up and own your own! I have made many, many mistakes in my life and often times thought I was right in some. I think owning your own when wrong or otherwise takes courage, but it builds character. Thank you for a great story post, as always!
Cannot agree more ... we are geared to accept an apology ... a sincere apology. Sometimes just facing facts and saying your sorry is better than trying to come up with an excuse.
And that's why I sleep well at night. No excuses...just flat out honesty. One thing about being honest...it also depends if that honesty is meant to hurt another person. I definitely will not tell people how I feel if it's meant to hurt someone.
Julie - This was an awesome post! I am going to flag it for consideration as a featured post. I love the message here! Great job, my friend!
Julie, he learned by your good example. No question our children are watching what we do. You are right better for us to own up to the mistakes we make for we are setting an example, good or bad.
Julie....I give Jordan 10 points for creativity! I NEVER would of thought fast enough to head to the neighbors doors for more cookies! I bet you are gonna be even more proud of him than you are already!)
I always try to do the right thing...and I think I will be a better person for it and my clients will agree!
Craig: Thank you for commenting. You are right. The process of admission is so much easier than covering up.
Suzanne: Thank you for your kind comment. That is a horrible feeling as you know. That lesson has taught him to be a better person to this day.
What a great story and lesson. You are so right, that we should admit when we make a mistake. I just used to blame the dog when I was a kid :)
I remember in school when caught, we actually had teachers who had us write I will never do....again. If that doesn't teach you! If you write down what the mistake was and what you learned from it, you will not make it again.
Candace: I love that picture. I wish I would have come across that while I was on my search for my post.
Thank you for your sweet comment. Yes this does indeed make for a great memory. When I had him take a look at this post, he started laughing. All of us have been sitting here in the front room laughing about a great memory. Isn't it so simple to say that our children teach us many lessons in this life as well? I love my children for that.
Oh, I do agree with you, it does build character. Sometimes the acknowledgment of our mistakes can be hard, especially when we are certain that we are right. I have to laugh at my sweet hubby for that one. He is certain 99.9% of the time that he is right, even when he's not even close. :)
Thank you again my friend for being here and sharing your life experiences. What a treasure it is to have you here.
Allen: Excuses take up so much more energy. And yes you are right, we are geared to accept a sincere apology. That's all apart of forgiveness. Thank you for commenting.
Sally: Thank you for commenting. Ahhh...that peaceful nights rest. How comforting that is. Unfortunately I find myself losing sleep for other reasons in my life. One being worry. Worry can really take over a peaceful rest. That's when I need to step back and realize I can't solve all the problems in the world that surrounds me.
Have a wonderful night!
Jason:I really appreciate your support here. What a very kind comment. Thank you my friend.
Marchel: Ah..Thank you so much for such a kind comment. My boys are 14 now and sometimes I feel like I'm too hard them. I just want them to grow and be the very best they can be. I do always remind them though, "with every mistake that you make, I still love you no matter what". We have to learn and grow. That is part of the process.
Julie, What a wonderful post. I have always tried to instill in my children that when they make a mistake they should "step up to the plate" and own it. And say they're sorry....something that for some people seems very difficult. I see many adults who will make excuses when a simple "I'm sorry" would have been the best possible thing they could have done.
Own it!! - Passing the buck and denying only prolongs the "mistake". Good lesson.. thanks for sharing
Thom: Oh you are so funny. I've had him sitting here reading the comments as they come through. Jordan is a very creative boy for sure. The stories of my children could go on forever.
It comes of no surprise that you have such high standards for yourself. What a great person you are Thom. Thank you for commenting.
Julie- What a well written story with a lesson so deeply embedded within it. The way you wrote this post was like reading a great novel, so detailed and expressive. I hope it gets featured too. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family. Katerina
Cris: Thank you so much for your kind comment. That is funny, the dog? Somehow I'm surprised Jordan didn't give that one a try. He used to come up with some doosies when he was little. I do like the idea of having to write it down over and over. 21 times and it's supposed to settle well in the brain. :)
I hope you have a wonderful night!
Carole: What a wonderful Mom you are and it's no surprise to me that you would teach your children such valuable lessons.
Sometimes pride gets in the way of saying "I'm sorry" and genuinely meaning it. I see that happen a lot as well unfortunately. It's always better to take the higher road.
Have a wonderful night and thank you for commenting.
Desiree: You've got it girl! Sign the dotted line, have it notarized and then stamp, seal and deliver a great big Sorry! None of us like delayed closings. Have a wonderful night and thank you so much for commenting.
Katerina: You are such a sweetheart. Thank you so much for your very kind comment. I'm glad you enjoyed this post.
We did have a very calm and peaceful Thanksgiving Day. A day much needed. Thank you! I hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful as well.
I do look forward to talking to you soon my friend.
Julie: What a wonderful reminder of our responsibility to ourselves and those around us. What a very different place the world would be if we all took ownership of our mistakes...and actions in general. GREAT POST! GBY!
Hey, who can resist CHip a Hoy!!!! Good story..best wishes
Choices are just that...choices. We make good ones and bad ones. Owning up to the bad onces is part of growing up! Nice post!
Julie, This is a very thought-provoking and cute story....your little guys sound so adorable (although they are not so little now).
You're so right about admitting when we are wrong and making amends for our mistakes...it's a true sign of strength and character.
Jo
Hi Julie,
What a wonderful Mom you are, teaching your children at a young age to take responsibility, admit mistakes and make amends. Too bad more people do not understand this. I see so many people that blame everything and everybody else and never accept responsibility for themselves and their actions.
Julie, Great post. I am honored to say, I know your boys and see what wonderful men they are becoming because of your teachings!
It takes a humble person to admit to their mistakes. I have made many of my own, and would like to think that I have admitted to them. Love you Lots!
Julie,
Great Point and so true. I see my kids doing the same thing sometimes and It is amazing the difference it makes when they just own up to their mistake. Sometimes I want to think I am not human because I do hate making mistakes and not being perfect, but I am human I am NOT perfect and I do make mistakes. Its Great to make mistakes. We definitely learn a lot more from mistakes than from being perfect.
Elizabeth: Thank you so much for your very kind comment. Oh how true your words are. I think it would become completely exhausting to keep chasing after the next story to tell to cover up the previous to then go and cover up another. I've seen people do this and it can be exhausting just being the person on the outside looking in. Have a beautiful Sunday! GBY
Kellyn: Thank you for stopping by to comment. You are right, things do always work out and how good it feels to handle it the right way. I clicked on your link and it doesn't take me to your page. Just an FYI. Thank you again for you kind comment.
Mike: Yes, Chips Ahoy are good. Thank you for stopping by to comment.
Charles: Growing up is all apart of it. You are so right. Some, choose not to grow up and to continue running like crazy people.
Thank you for you great comment Charles!
Jo: Good Morning my friend. Thank you for stopping by to comment. Oh yes, adorable they are and the stories they have left me with for 14 years are stacked so high that I could go on and on forever. I've been worried about putting pictures of my kids on here. I finally broke out of my shell to share personal stories, but the pictures, I don't know. I'm still working on that comfort. Have a beautiful day!
Tom: Thank you for such a kind comment. He didn't get sick from the cookies, because we walked hand in hand and returned the bags back to the doors. I really like the Winston Churchill quote. That really leaves the mind with a lot to think about. Have a beautiful day my friend!
Cynthia: Thank you for your very kind comments. How true your words are and how hurtful those situations can become. It's just always easier to take the higher road. Have a beautiful day my friend!
Penny: Hello my friend! Thank you for stopping by to leave such a wonderful comment. I really appreciate your kind words and yes you do know how my boys are. When they come to work in the office with me, I think they like to hang out with you over me, but OK, I'll accept that once in a while.:) It comes of no surprise to me that you are the kind of person who will admit to her mistakes. That is one of the reasons why I adore you my friend. You are honest and genuine. Big hugs and love you back!
Sally: Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. I so agree with you. Sometimes it seems that if only, I could be perfect I would never make a mistake, but boy have I personally learned some valuable lessons from my mistakes. Most I wouldn't want to take back. Often times those mistakes build a stronger character, build stronger relationships, and keep us on the track to doing the right things. Have a beautiful day!
Julie, with your cookie story with Jordan, many adults should learn what he already knows, thanks to having a GREAT Mom. When you do wrong (intentionally or by accident), fess up, say you're sorry, and get back on the right track. It really isn't any harder than that, but most adults can't get past the fess up part due to pride (or still wanting to get away with it).
Gary: Thank you for your very kind comment. Oh yes, pride does tend to get in the way of admission. I hope you have a beautiful Sunday!
Julie- what an awesome lesson to teach your boys at such an early age! I think that it was beautifully written, and drives the point home. We all have to be accountable to our actions, and honesty is ALWAYS the best policy. Honesty has served me well in my career as a salesperson. Have a wonderful Sunday, and an awesome week!
A lot of time and heart went into this, Julie. Thank you. 'Hope you had a good Thanksgiving weeend.
Julie. Thank you for sharing that story. Wouldn't this world be a nicer place if everyone could admit their mistakes and move on?
What a wonderful story about owning up to our mistakes. Lord knows, I've owned up to many.
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Alecia: You are such a kind person. Thank you so much for stopping by to comment. Honesty is by far the best policy as you mentioned. How simple is it and how comforting it is on the mind. Have a great week my friend.
Margaret: Thank you for stopping by to comment. It's always a happy moment to see your comments. Thanksgiving was wonderful and I hope yours was the same. Have a wonderful week.
Chrissy: You are so welcome! It would be a much better place indeed. So for now we just need to keep ourselves on the straight and narrow and we won't fall into that trap.
Thank you for your support and wonderful comment. Have a wonderful week.
Dan: Thank you so much for stopping by to comment. Yes we all do have our share. Owning them is the important part. Have a wonderful week.
Julie - What a phenomenal post. Your son is so lucky to have a mom that teaches him right from wrong. You set a great example.
Tom:What a kind soul you are. Thank you so much. I'm so glad you enjoyed this post I sometimes think I'm too hard on my boys, but I don't want to give them any opportunity to have an excuse to do crazy things.
Have a wonderful week!
Julie,
You said it very well. It's not the mistakes we make by the way we handle them that makes the difference.
Hi Julie-This is such an awesome post and yes why do we blame? How old is your son now? I love these types of stories...hold on to them,,,My baby just turned 22 and when I miss him...I think of some of those days...
Great Story Julie - our Nephew Jordan( Jeff's Sisters Son) is 16 now - not far off in age from your Jordan :)
Best example to teach=taking repsonsibility - we used to tell the girls when you point a finger at someone else ...there are 3 pointing back at you LOL
ope your Thanskgiving was wonderful!
Sincerely,
Grace Safrin
Susan: Thank you so much for stopping by to comment. I appreciate you being here to share your thoughts. Have a wonderful day tomorrow.
Midori:Thank you for stopping by to comment. I do appreciate your support. My boys are now 14 and boy did they grow up fast. Your baby is 22? Oh, I hear you on the thinking back to those days. I love the memories and how good it feels to play them back in our minds. Have a wonderful night.
Grace: It's so nice to see you here tonight. I've missed you my friend. I like your example "there are 3 pointing back at you" :) That is funny! We did have a really nice Thanksgiving. How about you?
Our children are such wonderful teachers. Just think of how much they have improved us. So much to be grateful for!
I don't believe in mistakes, just opportunities to learn.
Great story!
Tiffany: Great point for sure. Our mistakes are definitely opportunities to learn and that is indeed what happened with my little one. The fact that our children do teach us so much, makes us all very grateful. I really appreciate your kind comments. Thank you so much for stopping by to share your thoughts. Have a wonderful day!
Julie, what great advice! The story was priceless, as only children can be. Those situations, or should I say opportunities for learning, do come often when you have kids. (If they had been girl scout cookies, I would have kept them.)
Stephen: You crack me up! Girl Scout cookies could have made them keepers for sure :) I really appreciate your kind comments and how right you are that those little ones teach us a whole lot about this life. Have a wonderful day!
Julie, it is so true that one needs to have the confidence to admit their failures and shortcomings. More problems are caused by saying "Mistakes were made." Owning up to it and saying "I made the mistake" or "I did something wrong" holds much more water, doesn't pass the buck and makes you look human.
Brian: Thank you for stopping by my friend. I appreciate your insight (which is a fabulous one) on this topic. I agree, it's just so simple, when people have strong integrity to just own it becomes a win, win situation.