Doing it Over Again

JoePa · #1 07/17/13, 03:44 PM

I graduated from High School in 1951 - a group of us - usually 20 or so - get together each month and have lunch - one time I took a poll - I asked if each person had the chance to live their life over again would they want to do it - not one person said that they would - from the discussion that followed it seems that each individual described life as a series of events - some joyful, beautiful but also sad and painful - many have health problems and some had lost a spouse -

When I look back over my life - there were definitely some good times but there were a lot of times that worry, sickness, stress and others things that were unpleasant happened - when I was a young man life was great - no worries - as long as I had a couple bucks in my pocket I was happy - then when I got out of the Army I met the right girl - and things are great but pretty soon things start piliing up - need a place to live - need a job - kids start coming - sickness - job changes - hard work -

Finally you raise the kids and have enough money to live pretty good and the wife dies - she was the first and last love of my life - although I'm healthy now I know from what happens to others around my age that won't always be the case - it was a nice ride and I'm glad that I had a chance to do it - and I am blessed with a wonderful family - have 15 grandchildren - do I want to do it all over again - no thanks - I'll just ride into the sunset when its time -

po boy · #2 07/17/13, 03:49 PM

Joe,

Well put, happy trails!

Mid Tn Mama · #3 07/17/13, 04:28 PM

Beautiful and understandable.

Miss Kay · #4 07/17/13, 06:43 PM

I wish you lived by us JoPa. You are such a wise man. I know exactly what you mean. I have no desire to live to be old.

MoTightwad · #5 07/17/13, 07:24 PM

We feel the same way. We have been marriesd almost 60 years, had 5 lovely children, 4 gkids and now 2 gg kids. Have had some ups and downs and health issues but always stuck together and stuck it out. I feel the Lord has blessed us and we should look to the next life with as much happiness as we have looked on this one. God Bless all of you.

Michael W. Smith · #6 07/17/13, 08:45 PM

I'm only 46 - so not quite where you are. Would I want to live my life over again? Hmmmmm.

Yes, I think I would. I grew up in a family that was poor. 3 siblings and myself and Mom and Dad. But we grew up in the country and even though I knew we didn't have money - I just kind of accepted it and can't really remember wanting stuff I knew we couldn't afford.

I've had pitfalls in my life - EVERYBODY has them. I HATED school. My Mother was an alcoholic, my parents fought like cats and dogs. Mom died when I was 22 years old. Dad remarried immediately, and brought 2 "Step-sisters" into the picture as well. I didn't have anything to do with him for about 7 years. We made up, and his 2nd wife died. Dad died 5 years ago and left his whole estate between all six of his "children" - us 4 blood and the 2 steps.

I also had lots of joys. Met the life of my life - got married, had a son. I've been blessed. But like I said, I'm only 46.

At some point when I get "old" - and I'm not sure at what age that is - I'm hoping I have a sudden heart attack, accident, or something that takes me out of this world BEFORE bad health problems, old age, dementia, etc take over. Longevity does NOT run in the males in my family - so fate is on my side.

Micheal · #7 07/18/13, 06:32 AM

Funny thing about looking into the past....
Given those conditions, with the same knowledge gained at that time, you would make the same dumb mistakes or good choices you made at that moment...... only because that's what you did........ given with what you had at that moment.

So if'n I had the chance to relive my life - would I?
History would repeat it'self...... taking the good with the bad.

willow_girl · #8 07/18/13, 07:05 AM

I would do it all over again. In a heartbeat! I also want to live forever.

Laura Zone 5 · #9 07/18/13, 07:46 AM

I would only do it all over again if I knew THEN what I know NOW!!
I would have chosen to get healthy, a long time ago!

Michael W. Smith · #10 07/18/13, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willow_girl

I also want to live forever.

NO FREAKIN' WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've seen both my Mother and Father die of cancer. Mom at age 47 and Dad at 69. I've also seen my Grandmother with dementia. In the past 2 years, I've seen my Father-in-Law turn into a frail old man.

Going in to visit these people in the nursing homes - you can't help but notice the dementia patients who haven't a clue in the world, the patients who's minds are healthy - but bodies that are bedridden, the patients who's minds are gone - but have healthy bodies, the patients curled up in a ball, the patients who repeat things over and over and over.

Live forever? NO THANK YOU!!

EDDIE BUCK · #11 07/18/13, 08:34 PM

There's a song "I'm To Near Home To Turn Back Now".I am too.I'll keep sailing in the same direction..

Awnry Abe · #12 07/18/13, 10:05 PM

Living forever is a good thing. JoePa, there are many a fellow that would be blessed to follow in your footsteps.

LettucePatch · #13 07/19/13, 04:30 PM

I have had a good life. I married the man of my dreams, 26 years ago. We have had our ups and downs but I would not trade a minute of it. We have 2 wonderful kids. I have learned a lot of life lessons along the way and not all of them were fun to learn. I would not want to live my life over again, I am very happy with where I am.