One of the more startling things that has happened to me in quite awhile came sometime this afternoon while I was waiting for the afternoon marketing session to begin. I was sitting next to my sister minding my own business when someone said in my ear "Can I ask you a question?" It was a former boss. His question: "Are we friends?"
We went on to have a conversation I never expected to have, and didn't really know entirely how to carry out. He wanted to know if we had parted as friends and said it had bothered him for years to think that we hadn't. The truth is I do not remember the details. I remember the hurt and discomfort, vaguely, but not the details. I don't really want to remember them and so I told him "what's past is past. I've moved on." And in reality, it ended up being a good thing for me to have moved on, even though it was painful at the time.
Moving on meant I had a year of working on my PhD at UNH under teachers whose work still impacts on my life. Moving on meant I had two years of traveling all over the world with the New England Youth Ensemble. Moving on meant I met people, formed relationships that changed my life for the better. People and events that never would have happened had I stayed. Important things, life-changing things...all because I moved on.
He asked my forgiveness. Told me I was the best English teacher he ever worked with. That was surprising (and secretly pleasing) news. I had no idea he felt that way. I hope my response was gracious enough to let him know I had forgiven him, too. It can't have been easy for him to have done that...I'm not sure I would have done it... It is a relief to me, thinking on it now. I hadn't realized what a heavy burden I've been carrying until I set it down this afternoon.
Pictures: Well, I've been trying to upload more pictures of Corpus Christi, but they won't post right now. I'll try later.
2 comments:
Rondi, I didn't know you had your PhD! I'm impressed. And good for you for moving on and being classy and gracious. See, the difference between you and him is that you DID move on-as evidenced by the fact that YOU don't even remember the details. Anyway, sounds like you're having a good time. Looking forward to more pics.
Wow! What a powerful experience. Tonight at a Bible study training session, the question was asked about how to respond to the question "Why does God allow bad things to happen." God lovingly gave us choices, and because of that gift, we now battle sin. Yet out of the difficult times, we can grow closer to God so that He can turn a sour situation sweet. Sounds like you experienced that today.
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