Things I Wish I Had Back

1. My Dad – He died at the age of 48 when I was 16. I don’t care what anybody says, boys need fathers.

2. My Sister – She died a few summers ago at the age of 67 after hiking through the Rockies with her beloved husband and some other friends. I don’t care what anybody says, she was the heart of our family.

3. My Niece – She died by her own hand a few years back. It continues to be sad and mysterious because she was so lovely and so loved.

4. My Friend Rick – He died from a brain tumor at the age of 52 after teaching 2nd-graders for 30 years. If we are lucky one or two guileless, humble and decent people will cross our paths in a lifetime. Rick was several of those.

5. The Moments I First Held My Children – They are mental snapshots now. For those minutes nothing else mattered and all made sense.

6. The Moment I Met the Girl I Married (and the ensuing years) – Falling in love is easy and wonderful. Staying in love is more of a challenge. With Sarah I have accomplished both – thanks to her.

7. Private School Tuition – Since 1981 I figure we have spent about $200,000 sending our 3 kids to private schools – from pre-school through 12th grade. During those same years we’ve paid about $90,000 in school taxes for institutions our children never attended.

8. The Faith of a Child – I have become an adult with doubts, questions and arguments. Doubts, questions and arguments stand directly in the path of childlike faith and never find answers.

9. Most of the Many Hours I Spent Playing Golf – Some of the best times I’ve ever had were on golf courses with my friends. Most of them were wasted and frustrated hours – and money.

10. Harsh Words I’ve Said to Pretty Much Everyone – The tongue is often ugly and damaging. So many regrets…