I Wish I Had... by Liz Flaherty

Thank you to everyone who responded to last week's post. If anyone was helped or encouraged, I am so glad. 

I have been trying to think of something to write about, and not doing very well. So I started thinking about regrets. I'm lucky that I don't have many big ones. I'm sorry I never lived outside of Miami County, that I never lived in a new house, that I wasn't a better mom, and that I haven't traveled more than I have. Other than that...

I'm sorry I never saw the Beatles or the Eagles perform live. 

That I ever worried about how my kids wore their hair.

That I didn't smoke pot at least once.

That I never learned to swim.

That I never wrote a political column. (I could do that or I could do this one--I had more faith in my ability to do this one.)

That I ever smoked cigarettes, although I enjoyed every one I ever smoked.

That I've wasted so much time on anger, on having my feelings hurt, on worrying because I'm not a good housekeeper. 

That I've never kept off the 35 pounds I've lost at least 10 times, but who's counting?

That I don't see my grandkids enough. 

That I ever bought my 2006 Pontiac Torrent. 

That I can neither sing nor dance in ways anyone else should have to hear or see. 

That I've watched as much TV as I have. It's time I can never get back, and I'd have had a lot more fun doing other things. 

That I didn't stick to my guns on things that mattered and, conversely, that I did stick to them a few times when they didn't.

That I haven't read more books and that I've finished ones I hated. 

That I can't roller skate. Or ski. Or do my hair the way other people can.

That I haven't been more helpful in my life. Kinder. Funnier.

That's all I can think of. I'm sure if I gave it more thought, more time, the list would be a lot longer. But it wouldn't be more important, because there are so many more things I don't regret. 

Have a great week. Be nice to somebody.

As I shouted all over social media this week, I won the second place medal in the 2024 Gal's Guide Anthology: Nourish. I have been so excited and so honored. The book will be on sale on Amazon in April and is available for pre-order from Gal's Guide Press now.