All About Forgiveness

We write to define who we are, to feel proud and to draw strength from our words. Vivian of Mogonjet Secondary School in Bomet County, Kenya writes about reaching inside herself in order to forgive someone she loves and about what happened the moment she let go of her hurt.

Vivian starts her essay writing about the trouble she has keeping friends, about her insecurities in social settings, before mentioning her father and his drinking problem. She remembers violent times and fearing for her mother’s safety, years she felt robbed of her innocence and happiness.

It took one afternoon and the words “I’m sorry” to change everything. Her father promised never to drink again. “With tears in our eyes, we got up and hugged him affectionately. My mother’s excitement embraced him and the glitter in her eyes told us that she still loved him. This is me.”

Forgiveness should not be extended so far that it becomes unhealthy. It is a road to healing and a reminder that we are not perfect. Our world would be a broken place without kindness in the form of forgiveness and the hope that comes with second chances.