It took me 30 years to get to the point where I was ready to forgive my abusive father. (I've since realized that I'm not quite there yet with my step-monster).
When I finally got to that point, it really wasn't even about my dad anymore, it was about me letting go of my anger and pain. He didn't have to earn or deserve my forgiveness, I did it for me. I'd carried that load long enough.
"Forgiveness is a gift we give ourselves."
{Love your signature line SeriousKarma! It's perfect.)