Forgiveness — Thanks to Jean Budge   6 comments

I owe so much to my friends. Like the most recent addition to my web site — a very moving account of forgiveness where one might think it impossible. I hope you’ll take the time to click on “my web site” and watch it. I think you’ll be glad you did if you haven’t seen it already, and even if you have, a second viewing might be worth it.

Posted October 8, 2017 by Mona Gustafson Affinito in Uncategorized

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6 responses to “Forgiveness — Thanks to Jean Budge”

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  1. You will have clear and reasoned discussion about this amazing woman and her decision. I look forward to reading them. I can only say that in my career I have never been as moved as when I saw the numbers permanently etched on a woman’s arm. .And I have talked with a number of children of holocaust survivors. It seems to me that the only hope for peaceful survival is through forgiveness. We should all have such strength.

    Reply
    Nancy
    October 8, 2017 at 9:01 pm

  2. What a spirit. I find it extraordinary that she felt that way after forgiving – it must mean that she REALLY forgave. I have so many examples of TRYINg to forgive – sort of forcing myself to do it – which means repressing . they never made me feel good. So she must have meant it, and I wonder how she could. Also, I am very happy for her!

    Reply
    leelah saachi
    October 9, 2017 at 7:38 am

    • Dear Leelah, the wonderful thing is that such amazing stories are not really that extraordinary. My “forgiveness” bookshelf is filled with them. (Well, not any more, since I just donated all my forgiveness books to Luther Seminary.) And I do agree with you that it’s an awesome phenomenon.

      At any rate, it is truly magnificent what forgiveness can do for the forgiver. It’s been my unscientific (i.e. undocumented) observation that those who suffered the most horrendous offenses often seem better able to forgive than those who have suffered more petty hurts, like the woman who could never forgive her friend for “stealing” her boyfriend.

      Reply
      Mona Gustafson Affinito
      October 9, 2017 at 11:57 am

  3. I have always held the most heartfelt regard for survivors of the Holocaust. With all we “fuss about” these days, it is hard to imagine losing everything – home and all that means, school, beloved family, treasured possessions, friends, schools, neighborhoods, anticipation, holiday celebrations, religious worship, peace – absolutely everything and still retain the soul that lets you go on. I am saddened with each death of a survivor I learn about. They have brought to those of us who would listen, the most fundamental meaning of life, survival and hope, and in its several forms forgiveness. Yes, many of their offspring have experienced hardship based on that survival. But the survivors are dying and with them, the most dramatic of human instincts – to live.
    At the same time, it seems as if people in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Florida, Texas and California are facing similar devastation. But it has not been because they were held in such contempt by powerful people that the object was to destroy them. Can one forgive Mother Nature? Should one? Or is the plight of climate change in our world simply to be accepted?

    Reply
    Nancy
    October 12, 2017 at 3:50 pm

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