TO FORGIVE AND TO BE FORGIVEN

A year ago, there was a couple that had been married for nearly 10 years, separated for the last three years. After eight years of marriage, she suddenly left. She wanted space and freedom, it seems. He had to let her go. Their marriage had not been easy to both of them. Social status cut a deep chasm between them. She was a successful graduate. He was nobody but a clerk - a 15 years older than she was. Her family objected strongly to their relationship and the social circles she belonged to caused him deep discomfort, insecurity and inferiority. He had never managed to blend in ; he choose not to blend in.

This social situation  was worsened by the fact that he was a house-husband, bringing their two sons up, sons who saw little of their mother as she worked long hours. It did not help that she was the sole breadwinner on top of everything else. So when she decided enough is enough, he had let her go. She never came back.

And then he heard that she was sick. She was suffering from aggressive ovarian cancer. He wanted to take her home. No matter the problems with their relationships, he still loved her. He said,''She choose me, when no one else would. This is something i remain proud of. She agreed. She told him she wanted closure and most of all FORGIVENESS. Her two sons were less enthusiastic. Why return when she was dying and not when she was living? Their father explained everything.

He cared for her till she died.

Home is home. It was a sanctuary. It is a place of sharing, understanding and redemption.

There is joy in giving and receiving. But gifts comes in many forms. The gift of forgiveness, to forgive and to be forgiven, is priceless because it finally brings together that which is separated.