To forgive

Yesterday a dinner at a friend’s place in Laguna Beach, California, USA.

A beautiful woman told the story how her 21-year-old son was killed.
He was shot in the streets just like that.
By a guy under the influence of drugs.

The murderer was caught and got 15 years in prison.

The mother of the killed son was in the courtroom and saw the culprit.
Now clean and sober, it was a young guy looking normal and innocent.

Of course the mother was devastated.
And decided some time later to go to the prison to see the assassin of her son.

In order for herself to close a chapter in her life and to be able to go on.
Not to remain emotionally stuck in this tragic event.

She managed to get into the prison and even to have a private meeting with the condemned.
There, the criminal told that he felt very, very sorry.
That not one day passed by without him having deep regret.
That often he was wishing he could turn back all the events.

It was there and then the mother of the deceased son decided to forgive the killer of her son.
And this she told him.

This remarkable woman was born on a farm.
When it was harvest time she would help her father.
She was able to lift up hay bales two rows high.
“Man, was I strong in those days”, she said.

And she still is.