Tim Allen is on a journey of forgiveness, inspired by a poignant moment he witnessed over the weekend. The Shifting Gears star shared on social media how he was profoundly moved by Erika Kirk’s statement during the memorial service for her late husband, Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative activist. Her words pushed Allen to forgive the man responsible for his own father’s death after decades of harboring pain and resentment.
In a heartfelt post, Allen expressed, “When Erika Kirk spoke about forgiveness, ‘That man… that young man… I forgive him,’ it resonated with me deeply. After battling to find forgiveness for over 60 years for the man who took my Dad’s life, I can finally echo those words: ‘I forgive the man who killed my father.’”
The tragic loss of Allen’s father occurred in November 1964 when Allen was just 11 years old. His father was a victim of a car accident involving a drunk driver. Reflecting on this pivotal moment in his life during a 2011 interview, Allen discussed the challenging relationship he has had with faith since the incident, often questioning divine intentions but eventually coming to embrace belief in a higher power.
The motivation behind Allen’s newfound ability to forgive is linked to the recent death of Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed at the age of 31 during a campus event at Utah Valley University. Erika Kirk, during a memorial service, publicly forgave the 22-year-old accused of her husband’s death, Tyler Robinson. Her benevolence was aligned with her husband’s commitment to saving young individuals.
Erika’s compelling words on forgiveness, “Our Savior said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’ That man, that young man … I forgive him,” echoed with a profound sense of understanding and compassion. These sentiments steered Allen towards his own path of forgiveness.
As Allen looks forward to his future projects, he is also set to reunite with his Home Improvement co-stars, Patricia Richardson, Richard Karn, and Debbe Dunning, for a special guest appearance on the upcoming season of ABC’s Shifting Gears airing on October 1st. This reunion marks a moment of nostalgia and new beginnings, aligning with the personal growth Allen has embraced.
In sharing his story, Allen highlights the power of forgiveness as a step towards healing and peace, modeling a message of compassion and resilience in the face of lasting grief.