Forgiveness does not mean pretending nothing happened.

Forgiveness does not mean pretending nothing happened. It also does not require returning someone to the same place in your life where they already caused harm. You can release the desire for revenge while maintaining distance. You can choose peace without trusting a person whose behavior has not changed. Forgiveness is a way of reducing the weight inside you, not a contract granting someone unlimited access. Keeping the door closed can be part of healing.