These are stories of my sister and why forgiveness works.

My sister as a child would throw temper tantrums to get what she wanted and she always got it. I knew back then this young girl would grow up to be a success know matter the cost. She did just that and became a sucessful business woman in the dallas area in real estate. She is single and has a multi million dollar company at the age of 40.

Years ago Juanita my sister sold me 2 houses where she had messed up the contracts and put her buying price. She realized this the day of closing and informed me of her mistake and she said I had to come up with $6,000 more dollars that day. Of course I did not have extra cash like that laying around so she offered to lend it to me. I thought this is ok until she said 12% interest. The going rate at banks was 6%. Her attitude was take my 12% and be happy. I took it. Her greed was important more so than the fact she made a mistake and there could have been a compromise. I forgave her and paid her.

I was pregnant 6 years ago with what would have been my first and only child. I had problems from the start that did not get better. About 7 weeks into the pregnancy I started bleeding and having bad pains, so bad that I needed someone to take me to the hospital. My husband was at work, and I could not get a hold of my parents. This left my sister Juanita who worked a mile away to come and take me. Since she owns her own business she can up and leave when need be. She came after me and took me to the hospital. They ran test and informed me I had lost the baby. When I walked out of the room and informed my sister that I had just lost the baby her words to me were I have been waiting on you for 2 hours that’s $200.00 worth of my time. I have called mom and dad to come to the hospital to deal with you. At this point thank God my parents arrived and out the door my sister went. Now this took a hell of a lot to forgive and it was not easy but I did.

A few years back when the real estate market and taxes went way out of hand I did not have enough money to pay my taxes. I was looking at thousands of dollars to pay and no money with only several months to pay it. My stress level was at and all time high. I did not want to ask for money from anyone. Somehow I would manage. I ate an apple a day literally to keep the debt away. I once again got tangled with my sister on this karmic journey. I told her that I was having a difficult time financially and could she offer any suggestions. Her attitude was you will survive. During this time the City of Dallas called me to rescue 2 dogs from being put to sleep. I told them I could not and asked Juanita if she wanted to help these two dogs. She agreed. I told her because I had know extra money I could not help with doing this. I left for work on a 3 day trip when I arrived back home I had a phone call from one of my sister’s x boyfriends. Juanita had got him to pick up the dogs and deal with them. The problem was he was out an $800.00 vet. bill. He could not find Juanita the day he needed to pay the vet. so he asked me if I would pay part of the bill, $400. I said ok thinking I would get the money out of Juanita latter. For nearly a month I beg, cried, and explained to my sister that I needed the $400.00 to pay my bills. Her reply was I am just paying $200.00. For a few weeks before it was $100.00 so she felt I should be grateful she paid the $200.00. This was also around the holidays so it put an even greater stress on me. After this I thought here is one of the wealthiest woman I know and she would not even lead a hand but actually took from me when I did not have it to give.

Juanita decided to rescue a cat and have it fixed. I was out of town in Sedona not listening to my messages but enjoying the relaxation. Turned out the cat died during surgery and for 3 days she had no one to turn to while dealing with death. I had a dozen messages from her crying non-stop. Even one of her employees called me asking if I would please call her. She realized at that point I believe you cant take people for granted you love. It was a healing experience for her and me. We are learning from each other, for me it has been forgiveness, hopefully for her I am teaching her a lesson also. Through our lessons we both are growing. Lessons are not always easy but we do come out better from them. You might wonder if I had a choice to come into the world and have all the money one can dream of or just get by and sometimes have no money but have compassion which would I choose even today. I would not give up who I am for any amount of money. I told my sister this that I am glad I am who I am and I would not want to be her. Caroline Myss talks about sacred contracts. My sister and I made one for sure. I am learning forgiveness and hopefully she is learning compassion or whatever it is that she is here to learn. It is not always an easy path but I thank God for it.

I love my sister and my sister loves me. And that is the most wonderful feeling that two people can have for each other. We are best friends and grow closer to each other as time passes.

Sincerely,

Tawana Jurek