I can readily forgive things done in anger, stupidity or in haste but
calculated nastiness is far more difficult.
A woman drove into my parked car recently and refused to give me her details. I told her that I had no option but to report the incident to the police.
Before I got there, she had already reported
me for "
slapping her face" - blatantly lying to divert attention from her actions :help
I was charged with assault and subsequently found that there was an '
independent woman witness' to the incident
: who also claimed that I slapped the woman driver. I duly appeared in court
but the security cameras proved conclusively that both women were lying from start to finish. It was established that the '
witness' wasn't even there! I was quickly acquitted and awarded full costs. Thank goodness for security cameras!
The women showed no remorse and, for reasons I have yet to understand, they have still not been charged with anything!
In those particular circumstances I have not been able to summon up any forgiveness. If she apologized and explained that she was having a bad day - I could forgive her (them). I have had to pay for the repairs to my car and currently the women remain unforgiven. In the circumstances it would take a saint to forgive them or am I being intolerant?
One good thing did come out of it. As soon as I told my friends what had happened they all instantly scoffed at the very notion that I would strike anyone, let alone a woman. I felt greatly supported.