For over 35 years I have held a grudge against my half-sister who was given up for adoption by my mother. She found evidence to identify her birth mother and managed to find our mom when I was 12 years old. Having always known she existed I was very excited to meet her. After 2-years our mom invited her and her family to come live with us in Florida until they got on their feet. After 4 months of them living with us and putting a financial burden on our Mom, they moved back to Indiana. I was 14 at the time. They didn't leave on the best of terms and we didn't speak for 10 more years. I have never told my sister that I had hard feelings, I have just sat on them for over 35-years. She had no idea. This is the first time we have discussed it since it happened. This is the first time I've given her a chance to let me know her side of things - where I have gotten out of thinking about the whole situation from my 14-year-old point of view.

My hope for this podcast episode is to show how there are always two sides to every story. Family is important, whether raised together or not. A lot of familes can't get passed things in their past and some never make amends. Here is a real-life, real-time example of how a healthy conversation can have a big impact and take a huge weight off of all parties involved. Forgiveness is a wonderful thing!!!