If you could return for one year to one age in your life, knowing what you know now, to relive that year as you wish, which year would you go back to?
This was a hard one for me! Even though I have regrets and things I wish I'd done differently, all of those choices did end up leading to good things. For example, maybe I shouldn't have quit teaching--but then I would have missed going to grad school and learning that I can write fiction when I try.
So I think I will say any of my college years--probably my sophomore or junior year. I was so serious and uptight and studious that I really didn't have very much fun in college. I'm not saying I would turn into a party animal if I could relive that time, but I would go out with friends more, study less, realize that I wouldn't die if I got a B, and definitely study abroad. I will always regret not doing that--even if I get to travel one day, it won't be as a student, and that experience would have been great for me at that age. I was scared of trying new and different things, and that's something I'd change if I could turn back the clock.
The other question is the other side of the coin of this one.
If you had to identically repeat any single year of your life to date, without changing a thing, which year would you relive?
Much easier--the year I met Justin. We fell in love almost at once and that whole year glows in my memory. Of course, as soon as we got married, the reality of finding work and scraping by on very little money hit--but the love that was born in the year before our wedding has lasted almost twelve years.
*sniff* Now I'm almost feeling ready for Valentine's Day.
Wow!! good questions! and great answers. I think it shows great character in understanding that even our trials make us better - stronger - and to say you wouldn't want them to happen.. is hard. My first thought would be when I met my ex - but then i wouldn't have my girls...
ReplyDeleteI really liked this post - got a fun glimpse into you!
For the year I could change, it would be first year of law school, mainly because I wish I had studied more. But that was also our first year of marriage, which was a lot of fun, so it wasn't all bad.
ReplyDeleteAs for the year to relive w/o changing, I don't think I have one. This last year hasn't been too bad, so maybe 2008, minus the weeks of morning sickness! -- Leann
superb post!!! I was just reading this line in a book and your post came along.... *smile*
ReplyDelete'Success and Failure are usually not the result of a single event....'
Happy Valentine's Day!
My gosh...well done...but I don't think I'd wish to repeat any year at all...things might change to change the reality of now and I'm quite happy now...as I hope you are.
ReplyDeleteSandi
In answer to both questions, I'd repeat 2006- the year I met and fell in love with my Hubs. It was so much fun that I'd do it all again... but if I had the chance, I would do some significant things differently (especially our wedding).
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post! I wish I could go back and be MORE studious in college, but really, I wouldn't change anything either!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't change a thing. But to relive something? My first year with my husband. There was a whole lot of fun and a deluge of poignant feelings.
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