Wasted Opportunities

I know hundreds, if not thousands, of writers and people have written about this before me but I'm doing it anyway. It's that time of year, I guess, to sit back and daydream about things I should have done, seen or experienced since I've been here. With time rushing past at such a dizzying pace it's no wonder we miss things that we will later realize were important.

Many times recently as I have already bored you with, I have thought of those that have passed on and opportunities that were missed. Today is a sad remembrance of Bonnie's passing two short years ago. Sara wrote a nice note today that probably relates Bonnie's thoughts and sums it up by believing that no one should worry about her Mom. Shay has a great picture of her on his Facebook page. Everyone misses her I'm sure and I'm glad that Bonnie and I had a quiet conversation as well before she left us. We had a unique relaionship. Different I guess than most "formally married to each other couples". I am comfortable that we are at peace with each other, although I believe we always were. Even today I miss those brief but lively sparing matches we had with each other on those rare occasions she had a chance to take a jab at me. All in fun of course. I'm sure I wasted some occasions to share some opportunities with her as well. Believe it or not kids, we were "strange" friends of sorts.

I talked to a cousin recently trying to answer questions about my heritage and we lamented how we had both wasted opportunities to learn about our families from our elders. Mostly because at the time we could have learned, it seemed unimportant to know and now it's information lost. I'm wasting opportunities now to stay in touch with my family and soon that will be wasted as well. I have spoken to my brothers and sisters very infrequently since Dad died and know that this too will be regretful. We all have the opportunity to pick up the phone and call. My brother always asks me the very first thing "who has died" because he believes that's the only time I call. He's probably right. Another opportunity wasted.

In addition to my situation, Mary and I had another scare over her health recently. Everything turned out to be OK but it causes us to pause. How could we deal with another life issue? I think it's just another wake up call for us to realize where we are in life and what opportunities are we wasting? It's just all so surreal right now it's hard for us to focus beyond the issues at hand. We will wake up before it's to late I hope.

How do we know we're missing these things? Everyday I think you can lay your head on the pillow and think back over the day and name at least one opportunity you wasted to do or see something. Maybe it was as simple as stopping long enough to look at something you've never seen or at least never seen that way. I'm struggling with that now. How in the world can I slow down long enough to enjoy every opportunity before my time and opportunities are wasted. You know the old saying, "some of us have more behind us than we have in front of us".

Email me if you know the answer.......