“Forgiving makes me feel free and light.” — Louise Hay
Grief often carries heavy burdens of anger, guilt, or regret. Parents who have lost a child sometimes blame themselves or others. Holding onto these feelings only deepens the pain. Forgiveness does not mean forgetting the loss or pretending pain does not exist. Forgiveness is a choice to release the weight that chains the heart. Choosing forgiveness can open space for peace to enter. Peace does not erase sorrow but softens its edge.
Forgiveness can be one of the hardest steps after loss. The journey toward forgiveness requires patience and self-compassion. Grieving parents may feel trapped by memories or “what if” questions. Recognizing the need to forgive oneself or others is a powerful act of courage. Forgiveness allows the heart to breathe again, even in the midst of grief. Freedom comes not from denying pain but from loosening the grip of resentment. The lightness that forgiveness offers is not a destination but a gift along the way.
Each act of forgiveness transforms grief slowly. Small moments of release make the soul lighter. Forgiveness does not mean forgetting a child’s life or the love that remains. Instead, forgiveness honors that love by freeing the parent to live fully again. Parents who forgive do not minimize their sorrow but create room for healing. Forgiveness nurtures resilience and kindness toward oneself and others. The process is unique for each person but always worth the effort.
Thought for today: Choose forgiveness as an act of kindness to yourself. Freedom begins when the heart lets go of blame.