It’s a gorgeous, sunny day with blue skies, white snow, and green trees out my window. The driveway could use some shoveling, so I’m sure I’ll be out in the fresh air before the dark descends around 5:00, which feels more hopeful than finding no sunlight at 4:30. We’re on our way up—nothing but longer days as far as the eye can see.
Thank you, and there is no shortcut to forgiving ourselves. It can't happen until we first understand the way things work. After that, we need to wade back into the pain we've been avoiding all our lives; feel it again; yell, scream, cry, and then—finally—breathe the free air.
Interestingly, I've found that being able to share my story serves two purposes: it helps me heal, and it acts as a barometer of how much I've healed.
This was an emotional one- especially the last part- I’m glad you gave them permission - it’s not easy or comfortable to go back to those feelings - emotions- but it is where the healing is
Thank you, Sue. Trust me, just writing it was an emotional experience, but Dennis and the kids and I are learning that emotions shouldn't be feared. Yes, an argument is uncomfortable, grief is uncomfortable, but the price of kicking the can down the road is way too high.
It's an insidious and frustrating concept that can't be seen directly and is buried deep underneath a million other smothering-blanket experiences. And seeing it is just the beginning to digging out.
Wow - an amazing piece. But the greatest gift is not the gift of other's forgiving us...
it is US forgiving us.
Thank you, and there is no shortcut to forgiving ourselves. It can't happen until we first understand the way things work. After that, we need to wade back into the pain we've been avoiding all our lives; feel it again; yell, scream, cry, and then—finally—breathe the free air.
Interestingly, I've found that being able to share my story serves two purposes: it helps me heal, and it acts as a barometer of how much I've healed.
100% agree!
This was an emotional one- especially the last part- I’m glad you gave them permission - it’s not easy or comfortable to go back to those feelings - emotions- but it is where the healing is
Thank you, Sue. Trust me, just writing it was an emotional experience, but Dennis and the kids and I are learning that emotions shouldn't be feared. Yes, an argument is uncomfortable, grief is uncomfortable, but the price of kicking the can down the road is way too high.
It's an insidious and frustrating concept that can't be seen directly and is buried deep underneath a million other smothering-blanket experiences. And seeing it is just the beginning to digging out.