Live a Long Happy Life? Forgive.
This article originally appeared in HealthyLife Connecticut magazine (and won first place in feature writing in the 2012 Society of Professional Journalists competition). Laina and Jennifer had been friends since childhood. They'd approved each other's spouses, had children at the same time and taken family vacations together. They also shared their darkest secrets, including something for which Laina was very ashamed -- as a preteen she had shoplifted barrettes from a local store. When Laina gave Jennifer as a reference for a job she really wanted, Jennifer told the recruiter about the shoplifting incident. Laina didn't get the job and felt she could never forgive Jennifer. Their lifetime friendship ended. If Jennifer had apologized to Laina, acknowledging she had done something wrong, this friendship might have had hope. But that didn't happen and the women parted on very bitter terms. Forgiveness is something we all cons...