As we travel through life, through different adventures and different scenery, through the lives and impressions of others, we sometimes seem to forget our past in order to allow room for the present, as well as our future.

We recount past moments at the most random of times, as a glimpse of something causes us to recount a childhood memory or a time of laughter or love, heartbreak or sadness.

There are things we never forget: close friendships, successes, love, and regrets.

Lately I have wondered what a regret truly entails.

Of course I have made mistakes, and have wished I had said things differently, or maybe not at all. But what if I had switched “I hate you” with “I love you” or “no” to “yes” or “go” to “wait.” What if the one tiny moment was supposed to happen? What if that one little word changed everything? And without it, I would never be where I am now.

Maybe it is just an excuse in order to rid myself of the idea of what could have happened. But one thing I know for sure, I do truly miss you.

I miss your funny haircut, and your stupid smile, and the way you would make fun of how slow I would run compared to you. I miss your dimples, and your laughter, and your old, run down truck.

And if I had said something different that day, and didn’t let you go, then our lives would be completely different. Different friends, different school, different life, and I don’t know if I would ever be as happy as I am right now.

I know that we all have loved and lost, whether it be a loved one, friend or family member. And its normal to miss, but maybe if we do have regrets, we should look back and realize that each little moment truly counts, and even the bad ones are necessary in order to add up to something great.

Life may be full of uncertainty, but happiness is happiness, and all I can do now is wish you happiness too, wherever you are.

You have made me realize that I should never regret. And although I may have to let go, I won’t forget.

Promise.

Links

http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/16/the-price-of-regret/?scp=1&sq=regret&st=cse

http://www.1888articles.com/how-heavy-is-regret-08ey7c8h84.html