I'm sorry that my rambling post was too long for your liking, and that I didn't use paragraphs. I wrote this somewhat late at night, after having spent two days in misery, fear and guilt and shame over the mistake I've made. Yes, even stupid, thieving jerks like ME, make mistakes, which is what this was. Yes, it was the second time I've done it, I made the same MISTAKE, 5 years ago, at a very similar low point in my life.
Did you know people who have clinical and/or long te depression are more likely to shoplift than anyone else? That shoplifting and mental health disorders are more linked than any other two petty crime with any other disorder? No, I'm not looking for a "can't be held responsible" card because of my mental health issues. I'm just saying that I KNOW in my heart, my mental health issues at this moment, along with different medications I've recently been put on, and various other factors, have SOMETHING to do with WHY I did this inexplicable thing, AGAIN. Because for me, that's what it is, inexplicable. Other than these two STUPID moments in my life, 5 years apart, I've never done a thing wrong in my life!
I'm not a serial criminal, or thief, despite what you've probably decided about me. I'm honestly a normal, average everyday mother of three and wife, who teaches her own kids right from wrong and not to steal or lie. What I did makes no sense, not even to me. You seem to think they'll be sending me to jail. For my children's sake I hope that isn't what happens. Other attorneys I've enailed and spoken to said that most likely won't happen. Honestly I think all I'm doing with these forums and research is scaring myself even more, and opening myself up to judgment and hate from people who don't really know me.

