[Letters]

“When you hold resentment toward another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free.” [Catherine Ponder]


Dear Dad- Today at the Social Security office the man helping us made a dumb joke like you would've made. I miss your sense of humor and your ability to make us laugh during tough situations. Dear Shopping- Come fall, you and I are going to have to break up. In the meantime, I'm enjoying finding crazy clearance deals and ransacking thrift stores for size 10 shoes. I think I hit the jackpot today! Dear Jamie- Despite your interesting driving incidences, I love you. Thanks for putting up with the melting heat, getting horribly lost, and the shaking dashboard as we trekked to Mara's grad party. 


P.S. True forgiveness is not reconciliation. It is not having closure. It is not confrontation. True forgiveness is letting go of anger and resentment whether or not there is an apology or recognition of being hurt. True forgiveness is accepting and loving someone even as they continue to do wrong. Only when we truly forgive someone can we move on from the bitterness and pain we cling to and regain control of our lives.