The Power of Forgiveness: Embracing Second Chances in Life

Olivia grew up in a comfortable family. Her dad was a senior manager, Mum stayed at home looking after their only daughter, ironing dads suits and cooking up the best Sunday roasts. They lived in a little market town in the Cotswolds. After finishing school, Olivia headed off to study in Leeds. There she met Alex, they got married, bought a cosy terraced house and both landed good jobs. Everything seemed right, except one thing they had no children. Theyd been to countless doctors, even travelled abroad for specialist opinions, and every professional kept telling them they were perfectly healthy.

When another pregnancy test came back negative, Olivia broke down in tears. How many more times must we try? Why does it feel like God hands out babies to everyone except those who long for them? she whispered to herself. It was a Saturday, so she took a walk in the park to clear her head. The weather was brilliant, birds were chirping, and people were out enjoying the sunshine, but a hollow feeling lingered inside her.

On a bench she spotted an elderly lady feeding pigeons with sunflower seeds. The birds swarmed round, cooing loudly. Olivia sat down beside her and the woman silently handed over a small packet of seeds. As Olivia scattered them, she felt an urge to chat. She confessed that she was miserable because she couldnt have kids. The lady listened without interrupting.

Tell me, Olivia, is there anyone you think you may have hurt badly and then simply forgotten about? the woman asked.

Olivia thought and said she couldnt think of anyone. Are you sure? Maybe back in school?

Olivia had never really recalled her school days. Shed always been the quiet, modest type, never clashing with anyone, and after she left, shed lost touch with her old classmates. Then, a memory pricked her heart. There had been a girl in her class named Lydia, raised by her grandmother while her parents were unreliable. Lydia was shy, kept to herself, and was often the butt of jokes the other kids nicknamed her the saint.

Lydia never argued back; she just endured the teasing. Sometimes shed ring Olivia on the home telephone, and theyd chat for ages about books, films, and homework. Lydia only opened up on the phone; in school she never approached Olivia, as if she were embarrassed. Olivia liked it that way she didnt want the others to tease her for being friends with the saint.

One day Lydia turned up at school in a cardigan and skirt instead of her uniform. During break the zipper on her skirt broke, so she pinned it with a safety pin. A couple of boys slipped behind her, unfastened the pin and the skirt fell to the floor. Laughter erupted. Olivia stood there, feeling sorry for Lydia, but she didnt step forward she feared being laughed at herself.

Lydia snatched up her skirt, pulled it up and bolted out of the classroom. She ran to the river and, despite the chilly lateautumn water, jumped in. She kept swimming until she started to lose consciousness. A passerby pulled her out, wrapped her in his coat and called an ambulance. Lydia spent several days in a coma and later suffered severe infection from the cold. Only her grandmother visited her in the hospital. The news of Lydias condition barely reached her former classmates, and Olivia never made it to see her.

Lydia never returned to school. Rumours said shed suffered a nervous breakdown. Olivia never heard from her again. That memory was the only time Olivia felt a twinge of shame about her own behaviour she hadnt actually hurt Lydia, but shed let her slip away.

Olivia wanted to tell the elderly lady about Lydia, but the woman had vanished and the pigeons had scattered. She headed home and an idea struck her: shed drive back to her childhood village to see if Lydias family was still around. Her parents had moved years ago, and she had no relatives left in that little town.

The next day she took a day off work, told Alex that her parents wanted her to visit her roots, and set off. She booked a room at a local inn and went straight to the house that used to belong to Lydia. Nothing had changed much; it felt like stepping back into the past. She knocked and waited. The door opened it was Lydias grandmother.

Olivia? What brings you here? she asked.

Hello, I was hoping to see Lydia. Is she at home? Olivia replied.

Shes right there, in the house. Come in, the grandmother said, stepping aside.

Inside, Lydia was sitting by a window, her back to Olivia, painting. She turned around, and Olivia saw a striking woman, far different from the shy girl shed known.

Lydia, its me, Olivia White. Do you remember? Olivia asked.

Of course, Olivia. What do you need? Lydia responded.

Olivia explained the whole mess the emptynest feeling, the park encounter, the old ladys question. Lydia listened, then spoke softly.

Olivia, I waited for you at the hospital after the river incident, day after day. I never heard from you. I wasnt angry that you never defended me at school I knew theyd turn on you. I was just the saint, left alone. In the hospital I was terrified, my grandmother gone, you the only friend Id ever had. I was hurt, and when the doctors told me Id never have children, I I wished the same fate on you, as a twisted way of hurting the person whod ignored me. I didnt think it would ever actually happen.

Olivia sank to her knees.

Lydia, Im so sorry. I was ashamed I didnt stand up for you, didnt run after you, didnt visit the hospital. I was selfish, thinking only of myself, and now Ive been punished for that. She sobbed.

Lydia, who had always been kindhearted, lifted Olivia gently.

I forgive you, Olivia. I never held a grudge. I wish I could help now, but Im not sure how. Lets have a cup of tea and talk. They shared tea, chatted, and Olivia left promising to call often. A calm, light feeling settled over her.

Three months later Olivia bought another pregnancy test. When the two pink lines appeared, she could hardly believe it. She darted to the phone and called Lydia.

Lydia, its happening Im pregnant! she shouted, halflaughing.

Lydia was overjoyed, relieved that she wasnt to blame for Olivias earlier infertility. Olivia then rang Alex and her parents; everyone celebrated. The pregnancy went smoothly, and she gave birth to a baby girl named Alice. Lydia gladly agreed to be Alices godmother.

Its funny how quickly harsh words and bitter wishes can boomerang back to the speaker. When we curse or hope ill on others, it often returns in unexpected ways. So lets try to keep our thoughts kind, live in peace, and hold goodwill in our hearts.