Write a letter forgiving someone/some people for something they did.
You never have to show it to him/her/it.
But write it anyway.
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Here’s mine
http://www.3kidsandabreakdown.com/2011/09/27/youre-forgiven/
I broke all the rules, but I did it, and thank you for getting me to write.
http://jen-rantsraves.blogspot.com/2011/09/life.html
Hi Deb – this one’s too personal to put on my blog, it’s staying in your comments.
Dear Suzy,
It’s been almost fifty years, and I don’t know where you are, or what you’re doing. I don’t know if you are happy and healthy, or if you’re even alive.
I can barely remember the pain I felt during those times when you teamed up with other girls to shun me, to tease me, to exclude me. And I also can’t really remember the craven hope I felt when – in your manipulative way – you reached out and brought me back into your circle, for a brief and tantalizing moment, before turning the tables on me again.
From fourth grade until seventh grade, I alternately basked in your friendship and languished in your disdain. Ours was a small school, with only one class. Because of you, everyone in the fourth grade knew I’d wet my pants on the playground. Because of you, I felt self-conscious about wearing glasses. Because of you, I was embarrassed to talk to Jimmy Bleck, since you told him I told you I liked him.
But, to be fair, your treatment of me actually brought me many riches. Because of you, I learned to love the Public Library and explored the world of books far more deeply than I would have, if I’d hung out with you and the other girls gossiping and fixing our hair. Because of you, I explored the Illinois fields and woods by myself, and my love of the natural world sustains and nourishes me today. Because of you, I entered junior high looking outward, seeking new friends, and was open to new worlds – and, oh, I found such wonderful treasured friends, who filled the place you once had in my life.
That’s the best thing you gave me, Suzy. Your small-town manipulation and gossiping ways drove me out into the big world. You made me brave enough to move to Manhattan by myself as a young woman. To travel across the country to Seattle – a city I’d never been to – and make a home I loved for decades. You made me seek new experiences.
And you made me rely on my internal core for personal reinforcement. You showed me the difference between cliquishness and true friendship and love. You helped me distinguish between people who hold affection for other people, and those who just use other people.
I forgive you, Suzy – but, really, there’s nothing to forgive. You didn’t harm me by your ways. You strengthened me.
Thank you,
Aunt Snow
Aunt Snow, you HAVE to put that on your blog! So many people can relate to that. It’s so well written.
Such amazing entries. I still have mine in draft. It came across as so angry, and not forgivey at all.
T? Yours made me laugh.
J? I nearly cried.
G? I love yours much…and can relate. Even today.
You know, it’s funny, Deb. I started my blog so my 85 year old Mom could read what I was up to.
And then in fall of 2008, Mom changed her life situation, and was off-line for a couple of years. So I stopped writing with her in mind.
just recently, she got an I-pad, and she tells me the first thing she does each morning is read my blog.
So….funny….I’m a little more inhibited about what I write now, than I was in recent years. Especially if it’s about stuff where she shares memories – she’d know exactly who I’m talking about here.
Weird, huh? I know I need to get over it, but I’m not adjusted yet to having her back as a reader.