Leave the Past Or Learn From It ?

I went to a funeral today for an incredible woman. I have a past connection, a very close connection to her family, and it was strange to see them now, 7 years after the heartbreak and horrible mess we made. I tried my best to arrive unnoticed, and simply get out of the car, put on my suit jacket and slip into a back pew, but her daughter spotted me. Apparently she had to go back out to her truck for an item. She pulled me close and hugged me. Told me not to leave afterward because she really wanted to talk to me. When I managed to get inside the chapel I became overwhelmed with feelings, and shook so terribly that I clenched my purse just to steady my hands. Her granddaughter came to the back to greet me, then another, and a third. I told them it was good to see them too, and that sometime we'll visit, and that I was so sorry for their loss. I'm not understanding the sudden flood of emotion, and I can either write it off and ignore it, or I can find out what it is that needs to be dealt with and deal with it. I just need to remember how it was, and where it went wrong and understand why we did what we did.