The 'Lasts'

We all have our favorite children's books. "Love You For Ever" by Robert Munsch is very popular and almost always brings a tear to a parent's eye. One of my favorites is  "Let Me Hold You Longer" by Karen Kingsbury. If you haven't read it, you definitely should.It is guaranteed to leave you teary eyed. If your at all like me, you'll be a blubbering mess and it may take you several attempts to get through it, although it is a fairly short book.

"Let Me Hold You Longer" is a reminder to slow down and take note of the little things your kids do, as they grow up so fast. We all take note of our little one's first smile, first step, first word, first tooth and many more milestones. Not many notice or take note of the lasts. The last time you hold the bottle, the last time they ask to be tucked in, or the last time you held them in your arms all seem to go unnoticed.

Tonight, something happened that reminded me of this book. I was building a science project with Josh and all of a sudden it hit me...this is the last time I will make this same science project that I made with my other two boys. Yes, I teared up.

Why am I writing about this you may ask? In hopes that all of us, slow down, take note and enjoy the 'lasts' as much as we enjoyed the 'firsts.'

Just a thought.

The 'Last' Homemade Flashlight

The 'Last' Testing of the light

No Regrets

I have been thinking about the saying 'No Regrets' for quite a while now. It's one of those thoughts that's been lingering in my head, and I've finally found the time to set this thought free by writing it down.

We've all heard this saying, but have you ever really thought about it? I understand the purpose of it. Basically it means 'Carpe Diem' or seize the day so you won't regret missing out on an opportunity. 

Isn't it kind of arrogant though to think that someone could live with absolutely 'No Regrets'? Have we all lived the perfect life and done everything correctly? I don't think any of us have (or at least no one that I know) and therefore we must have some regrets, or at least we should. The kid that you were kind of mean to in Junior High. Shouldn't you regret that? The time you got drunk and embarrassed yourself...shouldn't you regret that? The job opportunity you were offered but didn't take...another regret. Or how about if you were a smoker? You may have quit but wouldn't you regret the day you started?

I think it's okay or actually good to have regrets. It means you've lived. It shows that you recognize that you've made mistakes, that you've grown as an individual and expanded your way of thinking. Your mistakes or regrets have made you who you are.

Again, I do understand the purpose of the saying. Seize the day when given an opportunity so you won't have regrets about not trying.  I also think it may mean don't live in a life of regrets. Don't let your regrets OWN you. Apologize if you can.  But don't regret having regrets. 

Just a thought.