At some point forgiveness becomes an option.

After the damage has stopped happening. After the aftershocks.

I might realise that the grudge was a fortress built out of shock and pain to protect me when I needed it most. I still need boundaries, I always will, but perhaps I can build them from compassion instead.

There are many paths to forgiveness: understanding, empathy, faith, exhaustion, experience, pragmatism, vengeance, love, compassion. There are many destinations to forgiveness too.

The reunion that compels me is of one half of my heart with the other. I’m not there yet but I can feel myself healing, slowly but truly, blessedly, finally.

To me, forgiveness is a way towards a future that isn’t perverted by the past. A loving future.