PINOCCHIO

So, about a month ago, I was binge watching the television show Once Upon a Time.
It's a winner.

Anyways, I watched an episode where the character, Pinocchio (the adult version), quickly pummels to his death because of promises and duties he didn't live up to. As he fades away, he feels intense regret for neglecting to honor the promises he made to his father. But the fairy explains that regret and remorse was not enough to save him. After his passing, the fairy remembers something that could restore his life. As the fairy performed her magic, I was so excited to watch Pinocchio experience repentance and forgiveness. Moments later, I was deeply disappointed as I saw the young boy Pinocchio wake up, where the adult lay before - the memories and lessons of his old life forgotten.

My joy of the father and son reunion was over-run by sadness that his life experience had been lost.

This episode caused me to reflect on the amazing opportunity we have to make mistakes, feel regret, fix them, be forgiven, and then remember the experience. Even though we are imperfect people and we may have unpleasant memories of our follies, what a joy it is to remember those and learn from those. They are a part of us. Forgiveness wouldn't be the same if we couldn't remember we made a mistake in the first place.