No matter how peaceful we try to be, eventually something comes between us. No matter how hard we try to live and love well, inevitably we hurt and disappoint. Often it is with those we love most and who most love us. Terrible mistakes, malicious remarks, unintended slights, promises betrayed, thoughtlessness, pettiness, and so on. Should friendship tumble because of these? When we fall short of the love we promised, when we succumb to small acts of insensitivities, when we become better at withdrawing ourselves rather than giving of ourselves? Friends will hurt and get hurt, disappoint and get disappointed, and yet they move on to not let hurt and disappointment be the final word. Only the best of friends know this, that friendship is impossible without forgiveness.
