CHAPTER SEVEN

What is forgiveness?

The traditional Sanskrit meaning of the word is "to untie."

It is to not become tangled in history, and dwelling on what cannot be undone. It is the ability to accept past transgressions and stop spending precious energy on resenting, hating and being angry.

It is about love.
It is about faith.

Forgiveness is the most difficult of all virtues. It is also our deepest need and highest achievement. The ability, compassion and wisdom to forgive one another for past wrongs, hurts and misunderstandings is one of our greatest attributes.

It is the basis of hope.

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Isabelle looked at the date on her journal and realized that it was exactly four months to the day since she found Howard in the hotel room with another woman. She never thought to keep a journal before, but when she ran away she found that she needed an outlet, any outlet, to vent her pain and frustrations. Now, she continued with her journal because it brought her solace and comfort. She read her entries over the past several weeks and laughed when she remembered the first time that Howard saw her writing in it.

What are you doing over there?

Writing in my journal.

A diary, you mean?

Yeah.

What are you writing about?

You.

He approached her chair and crouched down by her feet, his hands on her knees. She smiled as she looked down at him, and pushed an errant lock of hair away from his face.

Did you write about how much I love you?

Yes.

Did you write about how much I miss you when you're not with me?

Yes.

Did you write about how gorgeous I am?

She laughed.

I'm serious! This is important stuff. Did you make sure to mention how good my hair looks today? You have to keep track of these things.

Maybe I should buy you a journal, too. You should like you have a lot to talk about.

No. I just want to talk about you.

And how gorgeous you are.

Yeah. And don't forget my hair.

Isabella shut her journal and stretched contentedly. Howard had left earlier to attend an interview, but not before making plans, as usual, about dinner. Isabelle asked if they could remain in the hotel for dinner, where they could relax and watch a movie or lounge about if they felt so inclined. Howard agreed.

He had no idea what awaited him upon his return.