This opinion piece was contributed by a Sinclair Community College student who is currently enrolled in a public speaking class.
My name is Kristi Castle, and I have learned to believe in forgiveness.
Forgiveness is not an easy task to do and it does not come naturally to many people. I have been through some rough times in my life, and before learning to forgive, I held on to the anger that loved ones had caused.
Growing up, my mother was an alcohol and prescription drug addict.
I could stand here for hours telling you how embarrassing that is to admit, and how embarrassing it was to live with. I know she did not do it to embarrass me, but that she had other issues that she was running from.
A week before my high school graduation, I moved out of my parent’s house because I hated my mom so much for what she had done to me my whole life. She missed sports games and didn’t pick us up from school, among other things that she didn’t do because of her addiction.
My mom was not the only one in my family that caused me great anger. My little brother got addicted to drugs in his teen years and created much turmoil. He stole anything that was of any value from me, including some jewelry that my late grandmother had given to me, all to support his drug addiction. I will never see those things again, and for years I resented him for what he had done. He went to prison for four years and for the first two years, I did not go to see him because of all of the anger I still held on to — all the things I would not forgive him for.
It was two years ago when my dad fell ill and was in the hospital that I learned to forgive. See, my dad forgave my mom and brother every day. He didn’t like the things they did, but knew that he still loved them and it was worth letting go of the anger.
My mom quit drinking two years ago. Since then, I have forgiven her and my brother for all they have done. I learned that this life is too short to hold grudges over stupid things like anger. After letting go of the bottled up anger and resentment, I now feel so much happier as a person. Today, I can say that they both are well and addiction free and our family lives a much happier life together.
My name is Kristi Castle, and I believe in forgiveness.
Students are welcome to submit their own “This I believe” writing pieces.
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