Regrets? I am very happy to say that I have had very few. I attempt to live my life daily by taking full advantage of what each day has to offer. Oh I am far from perfect, let me just set you straight on that—but I have discovered that I live a fuller and better life if I live without regrets. That is one reason why I continue to place a high value on friendships (both real and imaginary) that come my way. I strive to be a good friend and stay in touch with those who are no longer close to me in a geographic sense. I try to be a good daughter, sister, aunt, in law and mom. I try every day to be the best wife that I can be because I don’t want to look back in 5 years and wish that I had treated that relationship with a bit more care and love.
If I am really honest with myself I would have to admit to a few regrets. Most of them would center around things not done with my boys. I regret that I did not keep better records of their childhood in written form. Oh sure–we have scads of photographs and school papers in boxes but I did not take the time to really journal their lives or write letters to them when they were little. That time is long gone and I won’t be able to recoup that and that makes me a little sad and regretful. But honestly? That is about it.
I have been blessed with a life that has been full of love and relationships. I have been able to be there for loved ones when they needed me and I do not take that lightly because not everyone has been afforded those opportunities. I do not take it for granted that we were able to spend so much time with my father in law before he passed away. I am happy that the last days spent with my own dad were ones that were easier and more plentiful because we lived closer to my parents then. I also was able to spend a great deal of time with my mom during the last 10 years or so of her life. It was a priority and one that I was so happy about.
I have learned to go with the flow more as I get older and to live each moment and rejoice over each opportunity that comes my way. Maybe that is something that comes with age. Maybe it is something that comes with the recognition that life can be cut short in an instant. All I know is that I am happy that I am able to live in the moment with few regrets.
How about you? Do you have regrets? If so, what can you do to turn those regrets into a positive? I would love to hear your comments.
My Way by Frank Sinatra
Songwriters: Carter, Shawn C / Revaud, Francois / Thibaut, Giles / Anka, Paul / Francois, Claude
And now, the end is near
And so I face the final curtain
My friend, I’ll say it clear I’ll state my case
of which I’m certain I’ve lived a life that’s full
I traveled each and ev’ry highway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way
Regrets, I’ve had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do , I saw it through without exemption
I planned each charted course, each careful step along the highway
And more, much more than this, I did it my wayYes, there were times, I’m sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew
And through it all, when there was doubt
I ate it up and spit it out
I faced it all and I stood tall and did it my wayI’ve loved, I’ve laughed and cried
I’ve had my fill, my share of losing
And now, as tears subside, I find it all so amusing
To think I did all that
And may I say, not in a shy way,
“Oh, no, oh, no, not me, I did it my way”For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught
The right to say the things he feels and not the words of one who kneels
The record shows I took the blows and did it my way!
