Forgive and Forget

Me and my family in the long ago. That's me at the right end
with the nappy bag

It is very hard to forgive AND forget. I am writing my biography, or is it autobiography? Having heaps of photos have heaps of reminders of events and times throughout my life which trigger that which is not photographed. I had a hard life, sometimes abused by others. But those of the more modern era don't think this has happened to me. I wonder why not? In a way, the way they treat me is a form of abuse by not understanding and scorning me. When I write, I try to write the truth. Does one cover up the truth, gloss over it? No! That's telling a lie! Today I am so blessed for I have the Truth in my life and follow my Saviour, my God, diligently, believe in His supreme sacrifice and believe in my Heavenly Father whose daughter I am. Is that hard? He has commanded us to forgive. Okay. I forgive Mum for the life she made me lead for her own purposes, some of them quite selfish. I forgive my husband, or ex I should say, who thought only of himself and not of his wife and kids, though played it 'big time' when others were around. He was the home devil and the street angel. I left and put all these things behind me, it is past, gone, not ever to be lived again, but....A big word that BUT! I have four sons, precious they are. They and their wives and nearly eight children, my grandchildren are very precious. Our Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley urged us to write in our journals, write our books of rememberence and I often wondered why I should write about those times. I was not a member of the Church then so why is it important? Well, I guess...um....if one reads what happened back in those dark days and what happens in the more modern days since I become a 'Mormon' - nickname only, one would see a vast difference in this lady then, and in this lady now. There were fun times in the days of yore, good times as well as the devastatingly painful times. The only thing that never changed was my love for those who have been a part of my life throughout my life. Hmmm! I've got over the early growing up years of my life and am close to my siblings. I have to work on the later years This below was written of another 'Mormon' Prophet George Albert Smith who served as an Apostle from 1903 and as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1943 until his death in 1951:
God will forgive whom he will forgive. As for us, we must forgive all men. He could do that, and then refer the matter to God. As he forgave I am sure he forgot. When one who forgives can forget, then truly that man (or woman) is an unusual man, indeed a man of God
I guess I just have to keep working on the forget bit, and leave it all in Heavenly Father's hands. Just keep writing. And guess what, I am gradually getting through the dreadful 1970s! My kids and grandkids will read what I write one day, but not the world. Now God, help me get on with it and forget.