We all have regrets over a life time about things we wish could be done differently, mistakes we wish we did not make, and hurts we did not cause others. However, it occurs to me the other day that one can also have regrets in forward time simply because one realizes at my age one’s time on this earth is limited and that certain things are not likely to happen in the future. These are not crucially important things for if they were important and crucial enough, one would at least try to do something to make them happen while there is still time. Nor can we regret over things we have no control. For example to say “I regret that I will not live to be 200 years old” is not a legitimate regret. It must be something we can actually do something about but for one reason or another we choose to forego. So here is a rather selfish list of my regrets in forward time:

1.       I have always wanted to visit the Taj Mahal in India. However, I have never been able to convince my wife to go as a tourist to India even though she enjoys travel as much as I do. Visiting the Tai Mahal alone does not appeal to me. However, with the recent terrorist attack in India, even I become convinced that it is probably not worth the trouble. Thus, I realize it will become one of my regrets in forward time.

2.       I always wanted to experience “hang-gliding”. But at my advance age, this is not likely to happen nor do I want to risk it. Although former President Bush (#41) did a parachute jump on his 80^th birthday.

3.       I did my last downhill skiing run in 2004 after 51 years of enjoying the sport. Both my wife and I had injured ourselves multiple number of times skiing. But at our advanced age, a broken leg is no small matter. Thus, I won’t have the pleasure of enjoying executing a perfect turn on pristine snow while breathing the clean mountain air.

4.       Learning what “dark matter” and “dark energy” are.

 

One thing I resolved that shall not become one of my regrets is to tell my family as often as possible and appropriate that I love them and happy to be a part of their lives.

 

The great American singer, Frank Sinatra, in his signature song – MY WAY said “ . . . regrets I have a few, but then again too few to mention . . .”. This is of course how one likes to feel towards end of one’s life. Fortunately I am blessed with not too many regrets in forward time either.