from the editor

The True Confessions Issue

One of my favorite children’s books is David Shannon’s A Bad Case of Stripes. In the story, Camilla Cream adores lima beans. Among friends, however, she pretends to detest them. A funny thing happens when Camilla tries to be someone she’s not. She develops a chameleon-like skin condition, breaking-out in stripes, polka dots, or plaids—whatever surrounds her. Doctors are consulted. Then experts. Then specialists. Nobody can cure Camilla’s bad case of stripes except (wouldn’t you know it?) Camilla herself. Once she drops the act and devours a delicious bowl of lima beans, Camilla becomes comfortably aligned with her own truth and, lo and behold, the stripes disappear. I hadn’t thought about Camilla for a very long time. But as I pondered this month’s theme—truth—there she was, proudly eating her lima beans and gently reminding me that, no matter how small, the truth will set you free. 

~Constance

ccostas@mediageneral.com