I learned a lesson this week! That's always good. As you can imagine, the stress of our lives currently makes things tense between us sometimes. We try very hard to be respectful and loving of one another, but sometimes...
So, earlier this week we were out and about and Paul said something that really hurt my feelings. About 10 minutes later he took my hand and said "Jenn, I was a jerk. I didn't mean what I said and I'm sorry" and then he gave me a hug. I learned right then what a -real- apology is. So often many of us don't apologize because we're so convinced that we're right. or, if we do apologize, we add a 'but' at the end and try to rationalize our actions (I'm bad for that). When someone apologizes like that its not easy to forgive and forget and we sometimes hold grudges. Paul's apology, though, was so heartfelt and genuine that I immediately completely forgave him. I will very soon forget what he even said and I didn't hold a single solitary grudge.
I'm SO going to remember this for future reference...a real and genuine apology (which doesn't need the 'I was a jerk' part') clears the slate for both parties and makes whatever happened seem to disappear.
Sometimes, Paul overwhelms me.
2 comments:
Good for him! Thank you for sharing that...it is a great reminder for me that it's OK no matter where you are in your day, to apologize for something you may have done (sometimes it's the embarrassment that holds me back)
And that, my dear, is evidence of a real, honest-to-goodness, for better or worse type of love.
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