You explained that so well, Bfly. We can have compassion and understand peoples limitations, but it doesn’t excuse what was done. I think what many have a hard time with is thinking if we have compassion for those who hurt us, that means we excuse what was done. I will never excuse what my ex and his wife did. But I can have compassion for them and not want them to fail at life or have bad things happen to them or get joy from their lives sucking . I can be around them and be thankful for myself when my ex takes constant jabs at his wife that it isn’t me anymore. But I’m the same breath I seem to go in and defend her. Go figure.

And nope, it’s no linear. Some days I still get so angry. But it’s when I see the effect this has had on MY life. But it’s passing and few and far in between.