by ML, Albuquerque, NM
When I think of someone I need to stop feeling angry or resentful towards and forgive, it would have to be my mom. She made multiple mistakes while raising me. At one point, she even picked other things over me and my siblings.
I resented her for letting go of me, but it really got to me and hurt seeing the impact on my little siblings. I had to take on the role and responsibility that should have been hers and told them the truth. For a long time, I never gave her the chance to explain or be back in my life no matter how hard she tried. I was so caught up with her past and her mistakes.
I didn’t allow myself to see anything else of her so I pushed her away more and more, and in doing that I knew I hurt her when she was trying. Now that I’m older, I see her attempts and the hurtful things I said toward her. In all reality, I hope in time she also learns to forgive me for pushing her away when she tried very hard to be there again.
To forgive someone, it takes patience, a type of love, and letting go of that resentful anger. Personally, I was not the forgiving type but I truly am trying to let go and be a better version of myself. Slowly, I am starting to let go—not only for the other person but for myself because in the long run you really are only hurting yourself holding on to that pain and anger. Let go, be free and at peace.
Always remember you may forgive someone and hold nothing against them but you can make the decision to keep them in your life. Nothing is wrong with cutting those ties but deep inside you know yourself that there is no longer hurt or anger.