Letters Home: Section 1, Letter dated August 6

August 6
Katrina,



I have forgiving to do; forgiving that could be the key to unlocking the door to the prison where peace is kept, where I locked peace away many years ago. Yet, for all of its value and rewards, forgiveness is a difficult path to walk; a path that requires confidence and faith in others and a willingness to take a hopeful risk. Is that the secret, Sister, to forgiveness; that one must have hope in their heart to be able to forgive others? If it is, then, perhaps that is why I have been unable to learn this lesson, hope having left me all those years ago, my having sent hope away.



Where does one begin to forgive? And, how? How can one forget the hurt and pain felt as a result of the actions of another? My tears fall as I write this, Katrina. Resentment and hatred have nails that claw at the soul, relentless in the destruction of their host. Yet, I remain ignorant of how to expel them, to exile them back to the hell from whence they came.



Sitting here at the window by Father’s old oak desk, watching the clouds looking at their reflection in the water of the lake, I’m reminded of the times that we, as children, would search through the clouds for those that resembled faces or animals. Or, times when a gentle rain would fall and we would watch the droplets kiss the lake, sometimes opening our arms to the Heavens and inviting the rain to cool us. We cared not of any danger of looking into the sun; nor did we fear dancing in the rain.



Sitting here at Father’s desk, one can notice that it has gained strength with age, absorbing the sunshine like a smile but also willing to shimmer somewhat when watching a falling rain. Its corners are smooth from where the wood was worked and sanded, and the drawers open without difficulty because of the pulleys working together.



Forgiveness flows in two directions, success only being found when the pulleys work together. I should think that herein waits the answer to my questions. Forgiveness works between people; giving forgiveness, allowing another the opportunity for change; and the willingness to be forgiven, to accept that another could accept us even though terrible mistakes have been made. Like the images in the clouds, we must be willing to seek out the positive, the good in people, the hope of tomorrow, and, like the lake, reflect the beauty back to them.



And, forgiveness begins by flying open our arms to the Heavens, as a carefree child would in the summer rain... and letting go.



Sisters forever,
Christina




This work is fictional. Any resemblance to actual situations or persons, living or dead, is coincidental and unintentional.