Atonement

Atonement is not really a word we are familiar with in our lives. It's been used traditionally in a religious sense, to reach reconciliation after confession. In our modern era, we don't bother much with repairing damages in our relationships, exponentially so the more casual our ties are. Technology lets us block or ghost with ease. I can understand the value in removed removal, especially to get out of toxic situations that would only worsen with confrontation. However, such a black-and-white action also takes away the possibility of atonement. We don't offer paths for people to make amends to us. Instead, we cast off, we sever ties. And for ourselves as well, our biggest regrets have limited opportunities to resolve with dignity. We can accept our mistakes, we can come to terms, find closure without further interaction. But wouldn't it be so much better to heal by doing something constructive? Overcome with guilt of stealing flowers from a neighbor's garden, a child can knock on the door with new plants to accompany a profuse apology. So I ask myself, what would it take for me to forgive a person? And then a bit further, what would it take for me to welcome a person back into my life with sincerity?