The Apology

I owed someone an apology.

I could tell you how I was justified in my reaction, and you’d probably agree.

I could explain the hurt and disappointment I felt from their behavior, and you might sympathize with my situation.

I could share my mindset in the moment and how a misunderstanding lit the match that turned into a blaze, and you’d likely tell me to give myself some grace.

But here’s the thing:

"Apologizing doesn’t always mean you’re wrong, and the other person is right. It means you value your relationship more than your ego." —Attributed to Mark Matthews (source unverified)

It doesn’t matter whether they were more wrong than I was.

It doesn’t matter if they hurt me more or if people would side with me.

At the end of the day, I was still wrong. I hurt them too, intentional or not.

Yesterday, I made that call.

It’s not easy to tell someone you’re angry with that you’re sorry for hurting them, but it was the right thing to do.

Because even if they never apologize to me, even if they never acknowledge what they did or take responsibility, at least I can say I did.

People know they’ve hurt you.

It’s just too hard for most to acknowledge that, so they let themselves slip behind a veil of shame.

Some people would rather protect their pride than repair the damage they caused.

I’m just not one of them.