Reconciling with my friend

It's good to have friends.  But sometimes, even if we don't mean to do so, we can hurt each other.  If we don't pay attention, we get offended at the person, not realizing that our pain from a past experience makes this situation worse.  We can walk away from a friendship wounded or choose to heal and reconcile if possible.  It is our prerogative to walk away; yes, we can do that.  Or we can choose to do the work, confront the pain, reconcile and move towards complete healing.  I had to make that choice recently.  At first, my thought was to walk away.  The pain was too deep.  Their words were so strong, they pierced me in a way I could not believe ...I was stunned.  Later, after choosing to heal first and then reconcile, I found out that they were not aware of how they were hurting me.  Wow!  Amazing isn't?!  What if I had chosen to remain silent with my pain?  Fortunately, after some time, we found the strength and took the opportunity to discuss and process the experience and the pain.  We found true healing for the both of us.  There is restoration when you choose to do the work to reconcile.  It may take some time and it may not be easy; but its better than suffering in silence and acting like everything is okay...when it is not.  Be true to yourself, your feelings and to your friend.