What Does Forgiveness LOOK like?

Today I learned what forgiveness LOOKS like. Today it looked like a small statured woman wearing green approaching me on a windy playground before school. Although I know this fellow "momma lion" I haven't really spoken with her in over a year and a half. The last true encounter I had with her was anything but pleasant. It involved our daughters and took place at the school carnival. While we were both trying to protect our children, this other momma got out of hand and said some extremely hurtful and inappropriate things to both my daughter and myself. It was an altercation that I'd rather forget, and needless to say left me somewhat miffed and shaken. Since then she and I have continued to brush shoulders while we actively participate at our kid's school, without ever speaking a word about the experience to one another. I have subbed in her kid's classes. She has organized school events. We both smile, participate, and of course seek the best for our own kids (and hopefully everyone else's kid too). Until today we hadn't spoken since that ugly encounter ages ago. 

Today "Forgiveness" walked right up to me on the playground while I was on morning yard duty to tell me how much her daughter enjoys having me work as a sub in her class, and really appreciates that I keep the class under control and require that the kids listen and work quietly. Really, this is what she said! I said my 'thank yous' of course, and told her how much I enjoy getting to work with her children. We cordially said goodbye and wished the other a nice day. As I watched her walk away and hug her son, I realized that I had just seen "Forgiveness." This mother has never apologized to me with such words, but today she extended an olive branch of peace to me and I gladly accepted. It was her way of asking for forgiveness. When I "saw" forgiveness today it simply looked like two normal, imperfect moms trying to right a wrong and move forward learning from mistakes. I know that I truly saw this forgiveness today, because when we spoke I only saw the good of that moment. I didn't see the ugliness of our previous experience. That is in the past. We have both grown I am sure, and forgiveness is so much lovelier to look at than a grudge.