The last time.............

The last time................

you mocked people in the Special Olympics, Mr. President........

The last time..............

you demeaned the life of those with intellectual disabilities, Miss Margaret Cho...............

The last time.............

you flippantly used the word retarded, Mr. Roddey..................

The last time.............

you targeted a child with Down syndrome in one of your cruel jokes, Mr. Brady................

I felt hate in my heart.

I felt hate in my heart for all the cruel people my daughter will face in her life.  I felt hate for all the times she will hear the word retarded and for all the times it will be directed at her. 

I could go on about the affect that your words have.  How they are demeaning, cruel, and hurtful.  But I won't. 

I won't, because you already know it.  You're not a child, who doesn't know better.  You're not a teenager trying to fit in.  You are intelligent adults, who know the power, the impact, the permanence of your words.

Instead, I will forgive you.  Not because you apologized, because your apology means nothing.  Empty words, that's all they are.

But I will forgive you..................

Because this is the last time I will let hate creep into my heart.  This is the last time I will let you or those like you dictate what I feel in my heart. 

It doesn't mean I won't stand up when I hear it again, because, let's face it, it will happen again.  It just means that you no longer have any power over me, because I refuse to be like you.

You see, because my God, He tells me to forgive.  Not because the offender deserves it, or because I am a special person who is capable of such forgiveness.  Because He gives the grace I need, and He gives the forgiveness I need.

The last time.......











This is a prompted post from ellenstumbo.com.  If you would like to write a post about "The last time", you can link up on her site.