foregiveness is a funny thing. for example, in the Catholic tradition there is the sacrament of Penance, where a person confesses their "sins" to a priest and receives absolution. sin creates a BARRIER between ourselves and God and our community. we are then pardoned thru God's mercy and the barrier is removed.
that's not the type of forgiveness we are talking about here. you are not a priest absolving HIM of his sin. it's not really even about him.......it's about you no longer having to carry the burden of the hurt and the shame, the guilt, remorse and anger. you "Drop the Rock" so to speak. you learn the lesson, but leave the experience behind.
AND that doesn't happen in a week.......or a month......or a year. it's an ongoing process as we continue to shed our skins and renew.