Reconnecting with those who were once rivals has taken patience, humility, and often a willingness to admit I was wrong. The most meaningful connections, though, have been born out of quiet gestures—listening rather than speaking, and showing, not just saying, that I’ve changed. For example, when I first encountered some of my former classmates after the war, it was clear there was still tension, if not outright hostility. Rather than defending myself or trying to excuse my past behavior, I...