Leaving Baggage Behind

"Leave your baggage behind." I am quoting the Deacon at my church.  In order to live in the present, which is truly all we are guaranteed, we must forget our old wounds and move forward.

Interestingly enough, two estranged friends sat in pews in front of me yesterday.  Both hurts are long past, but still fresh in my mind. Both close friendships ended for different reasons.

Perhaps the friendships are irreparable, but are the wounds?  How do I leave the baggage of the bitterness?  The resentment?

Forgive and forget does not come easy to this Irish woman.  But today, I will try.  I will attempt not store that baggage, but lose it completely.