The past cannot be 'forgotten' because it is an innate part of who you are.
It can accepted, acknowledged.

EDMR therapy has been successful in separating memories from pain. This the best explanation I've found so far
http://www.get.gg/docs/PTSDmetaphor.pdf

i say i forgive, i want so badly to forgive, but i don't know if i am really forgiving them.

OK. I don't forgive (my mother) and I never f##king will. I remember how she treated me.
However, most of the pain has gone. Flashbacks, which were for me daily regular endless loops of painful memories are now rare.

When I first heard about it it sounded like a crock of s##t. I'm not a great fan of therapy.
I tried it because I was listening to radio 4 one day and war vets were recounting that it had helped them, give them their life back
So I decided to give it a try.

EDMR did help me, so I recommend it.