Love Clay Crafts

Fourteen years ago, my father was murdered by a man robbing a liquor store. My father wasn’t trying to stop him or anything: he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

During the court hearing for the murderer, the man admitted that he hadn’t meant to shoot my father: he didn’t even realize the gun was loaded.

This man got out of jail one week ago, and he requested to visit me. I admit I was both scared shitless and wanting to cause him severe pain.

What happened during our lunch together changed me forever: he told me how sorry he was, he told me it ruined his life, he told me it saved his life, he told me to hate him.

We’re having lunch next week, because that conversation changed both of us. I am letting go of hating him, he is letting go of hating himself. I learned that forgiveness empowers you more than revenge ever can.

I learned that listening to him made me realize how similar we feel, and how we can get through it together.