If there were a magic wand, a way to rewind, these are 50 things in the last 50 years I would adjust…..
- Being such a chicken about jumping off the diving board in swimming lessons
- The date with the Newsome guy
- Going to Powell’s house
- Getting the flu in January before mom died
- Not wearing sunglasses
- Waiting till the time of appointment to go visit mom
- Go to see Dad instead of back to work. Or drive 120 MPH instead of 100.
- Letting myself get fat
- Not going up on Eifel Tower
- Help Kirk find a rehab
- Develop a relationship with Linda
- A Rio Doso trip.
- Giving Pokey away
- Listening to Bill and Shirley and not visiting Mamie, before I left
- Backing out with door open
- Not checking on Dot
- Giving up when I am right
- Keeping quiet about the lies and not bringing the darkness into the light
- Losing April
- Not losing weight sooner- or more.
- Moving out without discussing with Mom and Dad
- Not keeping the piano
- Leaving Tia with Keith
- Quiting Sunday School
- Wanting that trailer
- Not standing up to LRC board
- Not finding that perfect wrinkle cream
- Getting in the car with Julie B
- Drinking the Bloody Mary’s, Goldslagger, and Butterscotch nipple
- Giving into fear of rejection
- Not learning Financial Peace 30 years sooner
- Failing to witness to Rice
- Freaking out on Jenny
- Being fearful of Evan’s failings
- Not writing a book
- Not building a cat room off of garage
- Not planting a garden
- Not polishing the floors as shiny as Ricky did his
- Getting my ring stuck, and having to have it cut off
- Giving Evan that Gerber chicken stick.
- Losing contact with Monica
- Seeing statue of Liberty and Central Park while in New York
- My wedding dress
- More kids. A daughter
- Did not live everyday to glorify God
- Only 1 tea party with my granddaughters
- Licking the brownie bowl tonight
- Letting ‘them’ do that surgery on Evan
- Not knowing about Celiac when Brian was a baby
- Time Keith and I loose with batteling wills
I have been blessed. This literally took me hours. I had to search to find 50 things to want to change, or could have been done differently. So many things do not matter at all, my life is none the worse, because I did not have the sexy off the shoulder wedding dress I pictured myself in. I have an amazing husband, a blessed marriage of almost 32 years. That daughter I did not have, has been replaced with my daughter in laws and granddaughters. Being with my parents at the time of their deaths, would not have changed their dying. God brought me through those trials I have no control over, the stroke for Evan, the suffering from undiagnosed Celiac for Brian, He provided strength and peace and blessings for us all through our trials. Much of the ‘regrets’ of life are my own mistakes, my own wrong choices and today, I can still change, I can rectify. I have a future and a hope. I am stronger and smarter and all the more for all the good bad and ugly of all of these years.
Jeremiah 29:11For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
John 14:27Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Darling,
Of the things you listed (many things you had no control over) it is how you have overcome, dealt with and helped others through that really counts. The amount of time you spend in God’s word, the unending support you have given me as my wife (mostly to an undeserving husband) has had a profound impact on my life and many others. As I have witnessed, you have in thousands of instances made the difference in so many circumstances that I could not list.
I am inspired by you daily as I see your incredible strength, intelligence, tenacity, and your ability to live out what God has shown you through his word. The honor, respect and love you have shown me throughout years ( those who know me know that in itself is a miraculous feat).
While we all have regrets, I know of many including myself who would come out far ahead trading regrets with you!
You are now and have always been the love of my life, my best friend, my daily inspiration, my biggest fan (in a really small fan club) and the reason I can face the world each day!
Please don’t stop being you, is wouldn’t have it any other way!
I love you,
Keith
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