Last week my husband and I were out to lunch when I overheard the woman behind us tell her friend, “Yes, it’s breast cancer, but my doctor said it’s the best type and there will be no problems getting rid of it.” I leaned into my husband and asked, “Should I tell her the truth? Should I tell her to get a second opinion from a more honest physician?” He simply said that if she needs to hear that to have more hope, than it’s ok…is it? When I started my cancer path everyone told me thyroid cancer was the best to have, easy fix. Obviously for me, it wasn’t and four years later, I still fight. After my first surgery, my surgeon was brutally honest about what he saw and what my prognosis was. For me, it was a hard blow, but I appreciated his honesty. I wanted to know EXACTLY what happened to prepare for what lied ahead.
Is it ok to only tell partial truth to avoid hurt or pain? Is there a difference between partial truth and partial lie or what we call a ‘white lie’ ? It’s such a gray area, of course a lie is a lie. I have three kids and my youngest who is nine wrote a letter to Santa yesterday as part of a project in his class for a local newspaper. In the letter he said that some of the kids didn’t believe in Santa, but he still did. After I read it he looked at me and asked, “Santa’s real right? Those kids are crazy,” (That’s right, my older kids have kept the secret). Ahhh, to break his heart or to keep the magic alive, partial truth/partial lie? When my older two got to this question I always smiled and said, “If you don’t believe, you won’t receive,” which has stopped further questioning to this day. I thought about it, and just said that of course Santa is real, but he might not be who or what you think. He represents joy and happiness to millions of kids around the world, he’s part of the magic of Christmas; and then I ended with the same thing I said to the other kids. That sufficed for now, I think he probably knows….
I believe honesty and truth will always set you free. In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act. –George Orwell
Today I wear Josie Maran lipgloss in Brilliance, a sheer shimmering light pink. I think I had a similar color last week, but I’m in the mood for gloss and shimmer. This gloss smells like caramel which is awesome and it’s all natural. I also love the name…I hope that telling the truth adds some brilliance and shine to the personality!
Anna's Lipstick Journey 
I love your answer about Santa and I think you told the truth. Telling the truth will set you free unless you have done something worse than lying. Then you should just call a lawyer and hope for the mercy of the jury! 🙂
Thanks Jo, you are so funny! It would be hard being a lawyer!
Truth is, you are a very wise young woman who has a wonderful attitude for someone who has been through the trials you have faced. Great post.
Thank you Karen!
I think you handled that perfectly!
Thank you Beth, you always wonder as a parent if you have the right answers. Sometimes yes, sometimes no…
Love your blog. So beautiful.
Thank you Amanda!
You have such a wonderful way of weaving stories into lessons. I love reading your blog!
Thank you Hilary! Great to hear from you!
That was a perfect reply.
And the look of your blog
I LOVE SHIMMERY PINK and the smell of carmel………and ALL OF WHO YOU REPRESENT…honestly! (((hugs))
Thank you thank you!!
lipstickjourney, this was great! My kids stop believing in Santa Claus ’till about the 5th grade. I too, try to keep that “magic” alive. Because once its over, its over forever – believing in Santa…You know, somewhere in the back of my mind, I think of Santa as real. I know he’s not, but I think it’s just that child somewhere inside of me that still lives, an that little piece of magic makes my Christmas that much more special!
And I love it when lipstick has a nice scent to it!
Wishing you Happy Holidays and Good Health!
Linda
Hi Linda! Thank you! I still believe Santa’s real…couldn’t everyone use a little magic in their lives? Happy Holidays to you!