Once upon a time I was fortunate enough to have a best friend.  She was close to my age, beautiful, and smart.  We met at a pet store where her rescue group was offering adoption opportunities for cats.  We both loved animals, were both vegetarians, we both loved to sing, and we became instant friends.  She was the sister I never had.  She lent me clothes to wear on trips and I became the recipient of her considerable closet whenever she culled it.  Then one day we had a falling out.  I was hurt, and I believe I hurt her.  Of course none of that was intentional on either of our parts.  Over half a decade would slip by before I received a private message from her.  SHE reached out to me and said she was terrified I might not choose to respond.  It was sent during the first of January this year but, as heaven is my witness, I received it on a random day about a month ago.  Her words touched me, humbled me, and made me incredibly sad.  I am very much accustomed to being a “lone wolf.”  After my parents died I have been on my own, with the exception of my husband and daughter.  Lately I have been drowning in a sea of depression, despite knowing how fortunate I am.  In my life I have learned people can be incredibly unforgiving.  I have spent almost two decades trying to be loved and truly accepted by people who just never will.  It has finally dawned on me I need to stop seeking water from a dry well.  Tears were streaming down my face and staring back at me from my iPhone were words of love, hope, and forgiveness.  I answered my friend immediately and subsequently we had a three hour phone conversation.  It wasn’t even very awkward and the layers of time peeled back as if it had only been a minute instead of years.  For anyone out there who is struggling with old hurts or perceived “slights” I offer this:  it is never too late.  I am finally letting go of my Sisyphian boulder.  I am trying to accept the things I cannot change.  Go instead where you are truly wanted, valued, and accepted.  God bless my best friend for being braver and bigger than I and deciding to reach out.  The late, great Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The weak can never forgive.  Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”