Forgiveness

There's an old musical called 'The Slipper and the Rose' that's based off Cinderella. After the ball when the prince finally finds her, he takes her back to her stepmother's house to ask for permission to marry her. As they're leaving, Cinderella turns and says, "In my happiness, I forgive you all." That's the only thing she says in the entire scene. (begins at 2:00 minute mark. You really need to see the whole movie though, it's way funny with amazing music)

When Cinderella leaves the scene, she is perfectly happy. Her former abuse is gone and forgotten, and she has allowed herself to be happy. However, the stepmother and sisters are miserable and affronted by Cinderella's forgiveness. They are still burdened and angered by the past. Cinderella is free.

You always hear how forgiveness frees you. Though knowing it's true, it always sounded like a trite pacification. But by forgiving her step family, Cinderella was able to end the abuse in her mind. If she hadn't forgiven them, whenever that anger or pain flared up, her memory replayed that abuse. And memory is powerful. Remembering things well enough IS experiencing them again.

But now, Cinderella has moved on to her future. She can enjoy her prince and her life, and her memories of her father without a regret. Her step family is full of regrets.

Forgiveness is truly about releasing yourself from the chains of unhappy memories and unhappy emotions. If the other party is also able to change or let things go, it can enable future relationships in some cases.

Just some thoughts.

Cradled

Did you know an entire sun could fit in your chest? It doesn't feel like it could, but then it swells up and there's all this light and you're full of helium and you feel like floating, like exploding!

He has the ring. And he'll give it to me soon! I mean, he technically could wear it, but it would probably look just a little silly :) so he'll probably just give it to me.

I've tried to write poems for/about Mikel a few times, but I always struggle. I hate cliche things, you know, and love poems are a cliche by definition. But but I finally wrote one that I like, that I didn't have to force, it just worked. I already gave Mikel his Christmas present (I got him a sweater that fits, lol) at his family party, but I'm going to send him the poem on Christmas day. But just in case you'd like it, I figured I'd post it here so you could see it. Yep! So here it is :)


Cradled

My breath is gone again
Cradled in your arms,
the deep curve of your spine
Tucked beneath your chin,
dark scruff tickling my face

My skin prickles
It's too small
for the sun dancing inside my chest
Soft lips, warm lips,
touch my forehead
Fingers weave through my hair
and I know--
I am yours.

Too happy to speak,
the words eclipsed
in brown irises
that smile,
So beautiful
I have to cry.


So I hope you like it. I love you SO much, Brittney Balmforth! You're wonderful and you are a sweetheart, and don't you forget it! I hope your Christmas break is full of joy. Love you!