Never means Never

It was about 1967 or so. We were just married. Our rent payment was around $100 or so a month give or take some. I, at best, had a part time job, and was going to collage. Kathy was working. For some reason we needed a new stereo. You had to have a stereo in 1967. It cost probably $150, maybe. We went to the Sears store and bought it. We got some terms. We later made a payment. They lost the payment. We were young. We thought cash was money. We had to pay again. I think we had a receipt but they just would not accept it. We both made a pledge, figure it as sort of an early marriage pledge, to never in our lives buy anything more from Sears. We have not since then. They have no idea how much they have lost. On of us is a world class shopper. Stores close when she moves she is so good. Last week I was in the Sunland Park Mall. I was in El Paso. Had dinner with Mike. He left and I went looking for something to wear while running. There was a Sears store right there. It was a lot closer than any other store that would have running shorts. I went in. I walked a ways. I had thought of "it" before entering but I was alone in a far away place. I realize that you can get in real trouble when your out there along in a far away city. Folks rationalize in these situations. I looked up Integrity in the Wikpedia and found out that it was consistent actions that were in tune with ones core values. I knew that. I know integrity when I see it. It is obvious when you see it. ..............Well this indeed was a big step against my core values. Even so I was true to my promise. Never means Never. I turned and walked away. The hollow feeling in my stomach started to get better. I left. I can tell you it was like a mist of darkness had come over me the further that I went into the store. As I left it was lifted. My head cleared. I felt so clean. Found another store. Found what I needed. Never. Never. Never I say. It is a matter of integrity.