topic Re: The Day I Was Forgiven (Long) in Among Friends

The Day I Was Forgiven (Long)

Jackhound Mom — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 17:25:58 GMT

Louisville several years ago, actually Jeffersontown. I had been painting and broke to walk my dog. Halfway around the block a little boy asked if he could pet my Mandy, sure!

However I was carring a new bear mace because of 2 stray agressive dogs that hadn't been caught yet.

My hand slipped and you guessed it, the liffle guy got sprayed.

I went to his house and told his parents when some woman screamed at me and got out and took the boy! The parents called 911! They did NOT know her! She took the boy to her house and also called police. Bottom line the police brought him back home and after a hospital visit he was just fine and went to school.

I went home and called the police thinking I would be arrested for accidently hurting a child! They told me the parents had forgiven me, I was not in trouble, and that they all knew it was an accident. Never did hear why that woman took him or what was done about that...

DH & I took a gift certificate over that evening and apoligized again.

We don't have children but I was amazed and their forgiveness. If it had been my child I don't know if I could have been that understanding. Could you?

The mace was donated and I have never touched one again.

Re: The Day I Was Forgiven (Long)

gramgrandkids1 — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 17:56:05 GMT

@Jackhound Mom so glad for you it had a good ending; could have been a nightmare for you. The parents were so understanding. Why did the parents let their small child outside unattended? The screaming woman took child maybe to flush his eyes and protect him from what she thought was an attack/kidnapping from you. Things are not always what they seem to be. You only wanted to protect yourself and dog, child only wanted to pet dog, woman wanted to protect child. I hope parents learned from this experience. You did nothing wrong! Nice of you and DH to take gift certificate to family.

Re: The Day I Was Forgiven (Long)

SeaMaiden — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 18:04:44 GMT

@Jackhound Mom wrote:
Louisville several years ago, actually Jeffersontown. I had been painting and broke to walk my dog. Halfway around the block a little boy asked if he could pet my Mandy, sure!
However I was carring a new bear mace because of 2 stray agressive dogs that hadn't been caught yet.
My hand slipped and you guessed it, the liffle guy got sprayed.
I went to his house and told his parents when some woman screamed at me and got out and took the boy! The parents called 911! They did NOT know her! She took the boy to her house and also called police. Bottom line the police brought him back home and after a hospital visit he was just fine and went to school.
I went home and called the police thinking I would be arrested for accidently hurting a child! They told me the parents had forgiven me, I was not in trouble, and that they all knew it was an accident. Never did hear why that woman took him or what was done about that...
DH & I took a gift certificate over that evening and apoligized again.
We don't have children but I was amazed and their forgiveness. If it had been my child I don't know if I could have been that understanding. Could you?
The mace was donated and I have never touched one again.

I am just glad it ended so well... you went through a lot.... try to forgive yourself... and move on... it will probably take time... but if they can forgive you you can forgive yourself too.

Re: The Day I Was Forgiven (Long)

chiclets — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 18:14:09 GMT

Yes.

The child would have explained the circumstance to his parents and the police.

He wanted to pet your animal and thus the accident happened. You acted responsibly and took him home. The events with the other woman does sound strange and that must have been terrifying for the parents and calling 911 was absolutely needed. At that point no one knew if the woman would be calling the police too, or what her intentions were. You called the police afterwards, again being accountable for the occurrence and then giving a gift.

It was an accident. No one was injured or harmed. No intent regarding anything.

You could only learn about the other woman by asking the parents or police but this is something that occurred long ago.

Somehow I have the feeling it has be something that has remained within you and somehow you still feel guilty and haunted with it and feel maybe you are fully at blame. The can accidentally slipped. You should not blame yourself for the can slipping as that was something you could not have predicted. It was an accident.

I have children and would have forgiven you. It was an accident and you brought my child home and I would have been thankful for your honesty and caring for my son. My son wanted to pet your dog, and you had the can to protect yourself, not harm anyone.

It is time for you to heal. Forgive yourself as others have forgiven you.

Re: The Day I Was Forgiven (Long)

happycat — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 18:12:39 GMT

We all make mistakes, I know you wouldn't have done that on purpose. I'm so glad the mother of the boy handled it well.

I had bear spray in my purse in the bottom of my purse and I was always afraid I was going to accidentally spray it while digging in there for something else.

Re: The Day I Was Forgiven (Long)

MalteseMomma — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 18:31:26 GMT

Re: The Day I Was Forgiven (Long)

phoenixbrd — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 19:06:50 GMT

@Jackhound Mom Both of you were respectful, kind, and loving. Isn't it wonderful when challenging situations work out this way. Cherish this event as a life-affirming lesson.

Re: The Day I Was Forgiven (Long)

chrystaltree — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 19:54:13 GMT

Why wouldn't they forgive you? There child wasn't hurt, it was an accident, you apologized, they want to teach their child about forgivenss. Under the circumstances, pretty much all parents would have fiorgiven you and moved on. How many years have you had this bouncing around in your head? It was nothing, let it go and move on. It was the woman who grabbed the child who was the problem. As a parent I would have been more concerned about her odd behavior.

Re: The Day I Was Forgiven (Long)

rms1954 — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 19:56:40 GMT

I would forgive. However it might have turned out differently if he suffered injuries from it. Some people would have taken advantage and tried to sue. Nowadays people do that excessively. Alls well that ends well.

Re: The Day I Was Forgiven (Long)

esmerelda — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 20:24:16 GMT

Nice ending several years ago. In today’s climate I don’t think it would be the same.

Re: The Day I Was Forgiven (Long)

cherry — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 20:53:14 GMT

I can't say for sure but I hope so..My aunt and uncle forgave the teacher that killed their son ,as he crossed the road, after getting off the school bus

I don't know if the teacher ever forgave himslef

Re: The Day I Was Forgiven (Long)

happycat — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 21:04:37 GMT

@cherry, God bless your aunt and uncle and the teacher too.

Its very hard to forgive when a baby or child is involved.

Re: The Day I Was Forgiven (Long)

cherry — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 21:07:09 GMT

The teacher went through a very bad time. This all happened before cars were required to stop when a bus was loading or off loading students

So I guess my cousin who was a teen was also somewhat responsible back then , under the law

Re: The Day I Was Forgiven (Long)

Jackhound Mom — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 21:49:50 GMT

Thank you all for taking the time to answer me! To answer a few questions, the little guy was in front of his home waiting for the school bus and I saw him walk out of his home so I knew where he lived. He had probably seen Mandy & I go by many times before but we had never met.

The woman that stopped screamed at me "I saw what you did" in "other" english and then put him in her car and drove away!

I was really shaken up and if it wern't for another Great neighbor who did give me some tough love about this situation it probably would have been harder to get over. I did forgive myself but also vowed to Never chance a possible injury to another person.

Re: The Day I Was Forgiven (Long)

ECBG — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 23:20:36 GMT

Bless your heart. You said a "few years ago", and I'm wondering why the child was out alone. So glad it turned out well for both of you.

Re: The Day I Was Forgiven (Long)

Shanus — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 01:02:21 GMT

Eloquently and perfectly said @chiclets .

Re: The Day I Was Forgiven (Long)

Shanus — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 01:07:52 GMT

@Jackhound Mom Sometimes it's easier to forgive others than to forgive ourselves because the memories of the event linger. I understand that.

Thank you for sharing something that has been bothering you for a few years. I hope that by reading our posts, you can come to terms with that day and know nothing that happened was your fault. You acted as a mature, responsible adult. Rest easy now and try to let your heart heal.

Shanus 💕

Re: The Day I Was Forgiven (Long)

artisto — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 14:48:28 GMT

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Re: The Day I Was Forgiven (Long)

chrystaltree — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 13:39:18 GMT

@Jackhound Mom

Did this all happen recently? I'm not quite sure what it is you think you need forgiveness for. In the scheme of things and know what things kids get into and the falls and scrapes and basket balls hitting heir heads......this was a nothing. It affected you a lot more than it affected him or his parents. Accidents are accidents, no one plans them. So, other than putting yourself in a plastic bubble and staying in your home 24/7, how exactly could you vow never to chance to possible injury to another person? You seem to be "stuck" on this. Perhaps a session or two with therapist could help you really move beyond this.

Re: The Day I Was Forgiven (Long)

Jackhound Mom — Sun, 09 Feb 2020 14:33:32 GMT

@Shanus wrote:
@Jackhound Mom Sometimes it's easier to forgive others than to forgive ourselves because the memories of the event linger. I understand that.

Thank you for sharing something that has been bothering you for a few years. I hope that by reading our posts, you can come to terms with that day and know nothing that happened was your fault. You acted as a mature, responsible adult. Rest easy now and try to let your heart heal.

Shanus 💕

What a lovely answer, thank you one and all. I am not stuck on this,it is, like so many other things I write about. something that occured in my past. The reason I wrote it at all is to have others share experiences they have been forgiven for. To forgive is devine and I was just so grateful for the family's attitude!

Please share a positive past experience with us if you are considering one.

Have a great Sunday,

Cathy