Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Ash Wednesday

Today is the end of the season of Carnival, the beginning of Lent - Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is a day for fasting, abstinence, repentance. The name "ash" comes from old customs where penitents dusted themselves with ashes as a sign of repentance.

Though I'm not a religious person, I think everyone needs time to think about things you've done in life that you regret. Perhaps a long-ago mistake impossible to undo, a harsh word you'd love to take back, an omission you wish you could correct.

Sometimes past transgressions sneak back into your memory at odd times - while lying awake at 3:00 am, maybe, or while brushing your hair.  I cringe to remember how in sixth grade I threw my broken thermos at the boy who I assumed broke it, hitting him. Ugh! that time at a reception where I sat in an open chair - only to realize it was there for the guest of honor, not me!  Or the time, while rushing to the airport, I impatiently cut short my son's farewell moment with our old dog - who died without seeing him again.

So - on this Ash Wednesday - what are your regrets?
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6 comments:

  1. ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®©February 22, 2012 at 2:10 PM

    "I've had a few..."
    ~

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  2. AnonymousFebruary 22, 2012 at 4:06 PM

    I wish I had had more patience with my children. I was a strict Mom, I wish I had laughed more and enjoyed them more. Time went by so fast, my first born will be forty tomorrow I wonder how he remembers his childhood and me?
    ALBUG

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  3. DeborahFebruary 22, 2012 at 8:08 PM

    A friend and I were having a similar discussion last night. I was telling her that I saw a quote along the lines of, "I do not regret the things I've done, but those I did not do."

    I understand the sentiment being conveyed in that quote, yet still disagree. So many regrets, for so many less than honorable things I have done... and forgiving others seems easier than forgiving yourself.

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  4. M. BouffantFebruary 22, 2012 at 10:26 PM

    My regrets go both ways, but I think I regret things not done a little more.

    Ahh, hindsight.

    (My att'y. advises not mentioning any of the "things done," I may regret, so ...)

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  5. littlemamaFebruary 23, 2012 at 3:18 AM

    I regret not ever living on my own. I went to college close to home and went from my parents' house to my husband's house. The first time I moved anywhere on my own it was because my husband was deployed (but I had the kiddos in tow so that doesn't really count as "on my own.") Along those same lines, I regret not traveling more when I was younger (and not scared to fly!) Now I wonder why I was in such a hurry to be a grown up!

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  6. mo.stoneskinFebruary 23, 2012 at 10:50 AM

    good grief, so many, and as Deborah says, forgiving yourself is the hardest

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