Time Heals

It is impossible to count, over my lifetime, when wounded and bleeding, well meaning people, intent on encouraging me have said, "Bill, time is a healer.  They mean to say, "Bill, you will eventually forget the wounds inflicted on and you be able to live on as if nothing has ever happened."   In my personal experience, that has never happened.  I never received healing by waiting.  All that has really happend is that I simply ignored reality.  On the other hand, when I changed the meaning of the term "time heals," to that of being faithful in a difficult relationship that lead me to a deeper understanding the ways I had hurt other, then there is much truth in it for me.  Now, for me, "time heals" means not passively waiting but actively working with my pain and trusting in the possibility of forgiveness and reconciliation.