“At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, winning one more verdict, or not closing one more deal.  You will regret time not spent with a husband, a child, a friend, a parent.”   Barbara Bush

 

This quote came across my Facebook today.  It’s a rather simple sentiment, and yet so very wise.  What matters the most in life?  Of course it’s spending time with those who mean the most to you.

 

Now, with it being finals week for my kids at college, I would not want to say, “Don’t study for that test, because the results really don’t matter.”  Because trying your best at everything in life is also part of growing.

 

But in the long run, what will we remember?  What will we cherish?

 

This was a year that I wasn’t really ready to talk about until now.  I put my photography business on the back burner this summer.  In June, for the second time in my life, I was diagnosed with cancer.  Even as I type right now, it still seems surreal.  For some reason, my life has been filled with many health issues.  I’d like to say I have no idea why.  But, I think I kind of know.  My experiences have made my husband a better physician so that he may, in turn, help others.  But I can’t lie, I think he’s learned enough through me already.  My soul is tired of this….

 

As we were getting ready for a graduation party and an exciting softball season, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  I didn’t publicize it.  Very few close family and friends knew because, honestly, I was embarrassed.  I had been helped so much in the past when I had Hodgkins lymphoma.  I didn’t want to inconvenience anyone.  I got through it & I am now clear.

 

I am sharing this now perhaps because I guess I’m finally willing to let go of the pain.

 

I am back to working in my studio and focusing on the things that really matter to me.   At the end of your life, what will you regret?

 

Al and I have already made attempts starting this last summer to get out of our comfort zones and do more, to have more experiences.  We have had friends over for dinner or gone out to eat.  I have made more effort to go out to lunch with people who matter to me.  I made my husband, who likes to stay clear of crowds, go to the county fair every day and attend his first demolition derby.  We will continue to look for more experiences to spend time with our friends and family.

 

I look at the pictures of these goofballs and know just how very blessed am I.

 

We spend our lives getting sucked into work and obligations, and these things are very important.  At the same time, we have intended to have fun experiences with our family and friends, many of which have been pushed to the wayside of “someday.”

 

When is “someday?”  What if “someday” never happens?

 

So, we are finally looking at scheduling that vacation, going to that concert, having those friends over to eat, calling that person I haven’t seen in a while…  I have a list.  🙂  This is the beginning of the rest of our lives with No Regrets!