Forgiveness, forgiving ordinary (and other) people and Greta Garbo’s Kisses
Forgiveness is a really old word. It exists in many dictionaries and languages. For the word “forgive” in dictionaries, it is most often written: “to pass over someone’s guilt and mistake, that is, to forgive.” Dictionaries always write other explanations, among which is “to say goodbye.”
This word has been written and explained several times and in several places. This means that it should be used often in everyday speech. Everyone knows this word and there are no uninformed.
The oldest recorded mention of the word “forgive” is in the Bible. It is written there that God punishes but also forgives. In the “Our Father” prayer, he calls people to “forgive our debtors as He will forgive our debts.”
Forgiveness is also important between people. Forgiveness has been around for a long time. There used to be an imperial or royal pardon. Emperors and kings had undisputed earthly authority. They also had institutions of forgiveness. Kings, if they were of good will, would order that certain guilty persons be forgiven for their misdeeds or that the innocent convicted be forgiven.
That’s when the saying “He who drives a man to the gallows is not powerful, but he who takes a man off the gallows.”
Modern presidents have the right to amnesty convicted persons. The release of the guilty usually takes place during public holidays. This is how the grace of the state is expressed.
Holy persons can also forgive people for certain sins. Priests (according to the request of the faithful) have the right to give the last absolution. It is easier for a man who carries some weight on his soul if he confesses. Relatives and friends say goodbye to a person after he has confessed and received his last absolution. Man no longer hears it because he has reached the heavenly expanses. Priests record their collected words and speeches so that the speaker is not left to oblivion (which happens to the deceased). Common titles are “My farewell speeches” or My last letter on the coffin of the deceased.
Ordinary people can also forgive. It is easy for ordinary people because they are given the opportunity to forgive someone’s mistake or sin every day. Thus, I can forgive traffic jams, delayed salaries and pensions, non-payment of salaries and pensions, accidental or intentional dismissals, threats, traffic jams on the road and in doctor’s offices, unnecessary waiting and delays, lying, deception, various frauds, bad words, gossip, silence of the administration , non-payment of debts, waiting for court verdicts, bad interpersonal and family relations, hypocrisy, jealousy, quarrels, power outages and the like. I can forgive if the laws and the constitution are not enacted and adopted. Ordinary people have it easy.
It is difficult for statesmen, politicians and other dignitaries. For them, the opportunities for forgiveness are limited by decrees and laws. They will not violate them while in office. They will forgive us publicly when they are replaced and other politicians and rulers come.
We live in modern times when people easily leave their homeland to other unknown countries. The reasons are wars, economic, political persecutions, exiles, population migration, social and many others. Imagine a scene where the older brother leaves the younger sister and goes (for whatever reasons) to a distant and foreign world. Saying goodbye is at the bus stop among busy passers-by, unknown people, numerous speeding cars, shops, customers, trams, taxis. Forgiveness may be forever because today man does not know and is not sure what the future will bring. One tight hug, lots of kisses, sadness, waving and the brother leaves. The sister stays at the bus stop, waves her arms tirelessly, tears drip down her cheeks and sends her brother a lot of “airy” kisses. However, much more strength is needed for the elected representatives to forgive their empty promises. These are serious people, but sometimes their actions cause great harm. Ordinary people no longer even have the strength to forgive. The month of May is most often mentioned when world, European, labor, military, democratic and other victories are celebrated. Choose the victory that suits you best and celebrate. Kisses belong to the winners.
The recipe for the “Greta Garbo Kisses” sweet balls is especially famous. The recipe was published before the start of World War II, when it was not yet known who was winning and who was going to be the loser.

Recipe for sweet balls “Kisses of Greta Garbo” – take out 30 pieces of sweet candied cherries from the jar. Drain off excess sweet syrup. Place the drained cherries in a glass container and pour over 5 tablespoons of French cognac. Leave overnight. The next day, remove from cognac and drain. In a separate bowl, mix 200 g of melted chocolate with 150 g of ground hazelnuts. Add sugar. Add 3 spoons of milk and rum, as much mass as it allows to make small balls. Press one cherry into the center of the ball. Serve sweet balls to the winners and everyone you want.
And don’t forget to forgive all you can while you still have the chance.

https://www.ultragros.hr/proizvod/dzemovi-kompoti-namazi-i-med/kompot-visnja-680g-375

https://www.konzum.hr/web/products/k-plus-kompot-visnja-bez-kostica-340-g