When you forgive, you release yourself from the burdens of the past. You become able to experience the present moment like you have never before, because you are FREE of the hold the past once had on you.
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April 1, 2008
Dear Father,
I have lived my life feeling I was often set up to fail and that I wasn’t taken care of. I realize now this was just my interpretation and was not true to the facts. I succeeded often as a child, and now as an adult, and yes, you took good care of me. You made sure I had books and toys, a new car, an education, food on the table, clothing, a house to live in, opportunities to express myself, and even travel and adventure. You made sure I was loved.
I am I sorry if I’m hurting you by not being employed and living within my means. I also took a semester off from college, costing you more money for my education because I became an out-of-state student. And I once physically hurt you. Finally, I touched my I touched my older brother sexually when he had asked me for a sexual favor. I didn’t do what he wanted me to do, but I did touch him inappropriately.
I apologize for all of this and ask for your forgiveness.
Love, from your son,
D
April 13, 2008
Dear N,
I forgive you for slapping me in my after-school program this year. You were swinging a jump rope and it hit me in the arm. It hurt a lot but I didn’t cry. You have always been my friend and I know you didn’t mean to hurt me.
Love,
E
(5 years old)
Hickory,
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May 20, 2008
My Angel,
I saw you were shocked and hurt to tears this morning when you noticed the glass shelves to D's antique china cabinet shattered on the driveway. For some reason you saw the need to set your valuables there and expected to pick them all up the next day. When you saw the result of your decision you were so angry at yourself and you judged yourself as desperate and pitiful. You were pretending to be unworthy of assistance by anyone; your son, your business partner and friends, even as another friend told you just the other day, how isolated people feel from you when you refuse their help.
You are not alone! Needless struggling to get things done feigned and reigned significant when the instinct to rest was present. Now you are sick and tired. Cry no more.
I sent you an angel to help you see the light. When you saw it, you stated, “This morning, on the driveway of this old house as I stand looking at the clear blue sky, I declare I am leaving the past behind. The litter on the driveway marks the end of devastation. My worst fears have all come to pass and I stand at the beginning of a new day and time.”
You are forgiven for trying to find your way in life. You are forgiven for the many mistakes you've made. You are forgiven and there is nothing for you to do. Let the past be gone and all its stories too. And even as the stories come they will go again because you are forgiven forever.
Love,
Myself
