True forgiveness is hard. Period. It has to come from the heart. It is where you have let the offense go so that it no longer bothers you. If you can do this, YOU have freedom. Holding a grudge and not forgiving eats a hole in your middle.
BUT, this is not the same as reconciliation. Reconciliation comes from the offender manning up to his offense and apologizing and even making it right. So, if a kid smacks a ball through a window, he goes over and apologizes... and... pays for the new window. (Small example, but that's the idea.)
Apart from that, reconciliation can't happen, but forgiveness can.
But forgiveness without a true apology is HARD. Not impossible. But HARD.
Honestly, I am persuaded that true forgiveness takes special empowering. Without that, it is almost impossible.