Offending and Apologizing -

How about this:

Someone offends - walk away? Confront? Talk behind their back? Owning my story with an apology?

I learned a long time ago, that an apology isn't necessarily an "I'm sorry for my actions," but it can be an, "I did/said this (didn't stand up for myself) because I was - Caught off guard - up to my knees - dealing with other concerns, and I didn't want to explain myself."

And then perhaps the explanation will come, but now standing up for myself is the apology.  "I'm sorry" doesn't always work for me or the other.