One year on Forgiveness and Hope.
One year on from the Manchester bombing and our city is reflecting and remembering today. I walked through St Anne’s Square on my home from work yesterday and stopped to place a card on one of the trees of hope that line a trail from Victoria Station to the Square. The atmosphere was calm and peaceful with people sat on benches quietly or taking their time to look at the cards hanging on the trees.
For the 22 people that lost their lives a year ago their lives will be remembered and celebrated at several services throughout the area and there was a minute silence at 2.30 this afternoon.
The spirit of the people here is strong with a message that we will stand together and not be defeated or deterred by violent acts of terrorism. Coming together and looking after each other is the way forward.
Forgiveness
My thoughts are with the families of those who we remember today and those who were injured or affected by the terrible incident. In time I hope there may there be forgiveness for what happened. Forgiveness is an internal and external act of letting go of resentment. It’s a biblical word that means ‘pardon without resentment, retaliation or the demand for restitution’. Forgiveness allows us to release the tension and frustration of the resentment we feel towards those that have wronged us and grants us grace and peace. Grace and peace are what I wish for, for all the families affected by this violent act.
Hope
The trees of hope symbolize this. There are compassion, good deeds and a strong sense of the community coming together. Here in Manchester today we will remember.
