They said, “to err is human, to forgive is divine.” But what about to forget?
Some say to forget is to be stupid, others say it is to be wise; some say it is the beginning of healing, others say it is like applying a band-aid on a festering sore. And whenever you remember, it is like ripping up the band-aid, the pain starts afresh.
I have been hurt time and again. I use to be one who never forgives. By some miracle, I learned to forgive. The issue now is forgetting.
Sometimes I meet someone who hurt me real bad and the memory rushes back. I know I have forgiven them. Sometimes without them asking, sometimes without their knowledge, either way, I just can’t forget.
Can I learn to forget? Is it even necessary for me to forget? Do I gain or lose by forgetting? After all, I have forgiven.
But then, have I truly forgiven if I cannot forget?
The sad part is my pains are trivial compared to what others have gone through. From being duped to abuse, rape, loss of a loved one, denial of favours, rights and privileges.
How can these people forget?
I sometimes wonder how did they even forgive?
There are levels to this grace we talk about. I have witnessed things that would leave the victim messed up, but they emerge stronger, wearing their survivor’s badge with pride, and moving on with life.
How do they do it?
A famous man once said, “may our loyalty not be tested.”
I can’t help but say this, may our grace, our forgiving spirit, and our ability to forget, never be tested.
With great hesitancy, if I absolutely have to, I will at best end on this note, forgive but never forget. That is the best way you can learn lessons from life incidents while preventing recurrences.
Wilson Joshua is a Video Editor, Content Creator, and Creative Writer.
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