On familial relationships

When thinking, writing and working on my goal I have limited myself by thinking only of 'repairing relationships' as reaching out to family members who I have a problem with or who have written me off for silly reasons.  It has just occurred to me that I have come much further on my goal by my attempt at giving my mother all the honor and respect I possibly can.  I have also made progress on my goal by my efforts to really listen to my daughter, encourage her and laugh with her more.   There is one person in the family I have always had a good, trusting, positive relationship with and that is my stepdad, everyone in the family could say the same.  He is just awesome, so intelligent, funny, caring, laid back and wonderful.  I am so glad he came into our lives when I was a 5th grader.  He was my hero in my youth and he is my daughter's hero.  He is one of a kind. I have started praying for the people on that long list who have hurt me, betrayed me, wounded me and for whom I have held unforgiveness.  Some were easy to forgive but those left on the list I have struggled much with forgiving because the trespasses were huge and though I wanted to forgive and move on I just couldn't seem to.  I will make this goal number two:  Forgiving others. Thanks for listening. : ) ~Sherry