Years ago,I had a quarrel with a friend owing to a misunderstanding. It was ._______my fault, but I was afraid to admit that I was wrong, so we didn’t speak for a long time. Several years later we came across each other and decided to meet for lunch. It was so_______that we kept meeting. After two or three meals together,I felt_______to apologize for my behavior years earlier.

My experience is never unique. Many people_______apologizing because the idea of admitting to wrong behavior makes them_______uncomfortable. Apologies force us to admit to ourselves that we don’t always_______our own standards. We might also fear that the victim won’t_ _______our apology. We all like to_______ourselves as good people—as kind, honest and considerate. For these_______ , an apology can be very difficult to give.

Given my________, there is no doubt that an apology is a vital tool for________a relationship to make it functional again. Usually, a(n) ________apology is called for, but if the victim is angry at the wrong behavior, it may be more________to wait, because their________may prevent them from accepting our apologies. Also a delay________an apology’s effectiveness because it conveys that the offender has time to reflect on his/ her________. But a heartfelt apology has more powerful effects, which can improve our mental health and repair our________ personal relationships.________ ,expressing regret and acknowledging responsibility are equally vital. Without ________, it’s a good reason of your actions ; without responsibility, it’s an excuse.

My friend and I had lunch recently, 15 years after my belated apology. Admitting that everything had been my fault helped us heal our relationship. We’re both________to have our friendship today.

When I was very young, I got badly burned by hot water. At that time, technology wasn’t ______. I did get skin grafts(移植), but it was still pretty bad. Most of the damage was on my ______ and the skin was grafted from my leg, causing another large scar.

As I grew up, I struggled with my scars. In beach pictures I would ______ try to cover up my leg with my hand or hold something in front of me. I would hide in a high-necked dress, or else ______ any swim-suit-wearing activities completely. I missed out on a lot of fun. I could not ______ the fact that I had these scars and that they were a ______.

When I was 19, one friend said to me, “Michelle, stop ______! Your burns are battle scars. You need to ______ them like a medal of honor!”

____, it took me 15 years to discover she was ______. There are so many people with disabilities, but they didn’t feel ______ for themselves like I was.

Scars can be difficult to ______. But in fact, it’s just damaged skin. It’s not a life sentence. I’m ______ that it took me so long to get over myself and my scars.

Life is about so much more than worrying about the flaws(瑕疵) on our ______. Now what I once considered burdens are indeed just battle wounds I can carry with ______.