My last two posts have been about Lt. Dan giving up his fight and making his peace with God. When I say giving up the fight, it’s really about putting the past behind you. It’s about living in the present as opposed to having the past being your present.
Today, let’s look at Jenny and her first real attempt at putting her past in the past.
Recall that Jenny’s childhood was less than ideal. Her mother died when she was young. Her father was abusive. She ended up living with her grandmother. As a young woman, she sought refuge in the hippie lifestyle with drugs, sex, and music.
Those diversions muted her past pain, but it was only a mask.
Jenny came home to Greenbow. A surprised (and delighted) Forrest was interrupted while mowing the lawn. This was Jenny’s first attempt to give up the fight.
She “slept and slept like she hadn’t slept in years.” She physically healed. She started the process of emotional healing. The simmering pain boiled over with the sometimes there just aren’t enough rocks incident.
But Jenny wasn’t yet ready to give up the fight.
After spending a night in Forrest’s bed, she left early the next morning without saying good-bye. The cab driver asked, “Where you running off to?” Jenny snapped, “I’m not running.” But it wasn’t the truth … Jenny was running.
Jenny returned to Greenbow because she knew she’d be safe.
Jenny attempted to give up her fight.
Jenny wasn’t yet ready.
It?s an old story … we know what we have to do, but we’re not yet ready to do it.
Next Blog Title: Jenny Finally Gives Up the Fight
Next Blog Date: May 16, 2011