Life brings regrets and I have made my fair share of choices that should probably fall into the regret category, but don’t.
Truth is, I’m fine with the fact that my first boyfriend could have played a starring role in Goodfellas, or that it took me until the age of 27 to remotely understand the meaning of life.
There is only one thing that could potentially cause me to feel regret – and I try to remember it often. My only potential regret is not being present to those I love.
Last week I accompanied my daughter to a show she was in at her school. She gave me a list of things not to do: “Mom, don’t stare at me and smile the whole time.” “Mom, when you say ‘hi’ to my friends, just sort of stand back and wave..” The list went on. As soon as we arrived, she told me, “Go sit down mom, I’m going to go with my friends.”
This is 180 degrees from the “baby girl” I’m used to – an adjustment to be sure. It just so happened that I had a weekend getaway planned with friends that started the very next morning. So I kissed my newly independent girl goodbye and had three days to reflect.
I was moved to tears as I thought of her trying to dance for me as I commanded that she go brush her teeth… and other examples of this present-focused child being rushed to do the next thing.
Thankfully I remembered that my only potential regret is not seeing her essence and appreciating her every day. Same with my mom, my dad, and the rest of the people I love.
Turns out I had a great weekend, but was happiest to get home, give my daughter a bath and enjoy her playful spirit.