Waiting For That Rocket

Today I’m having coffee with two friends from high school. Nothing like catching up with friends after several years of sporadic communication to make you think about the choices that you’ve made in your life. I had a conversation about that with my mom last night, about the choices that have gotten me where I am today. It’s tough to make the call. There are many things that I’ve done in my life that I regret. I wish that I had spent more time on my academics – from grade school on through college. I wish that I had tried more things. I wish that I had stuck with music more. I wish that I had been more dedicated to sports. I wish I had worked harder on the campaign. These are just the tip of the iceberg. Yet. For all these regrets, I’m not convinced that I would go back and change anything. The pratfalls along the way have all led to where I am today (at an awesome coffee shop, writing next to one of my best friends) and given me the people that I have in my life. I can’t say whether I would be a better or more successful person if I had spent time on the things that I should have growing up, but I know that my life wouldn’t be as rich as it is today without AM, ER, DB, EL, KH, et al. in my life. And these people would not be here without the mistakes and miscues that have occurred along the way. So. In the long run, do I wish that I had a “real” job? Do I wish that I had more money coming in? Do I wish that my living situation were different? Yes, absolutely. But if these things were different, I wouldn’t have these people in my life and they’re something I wouldn’t trade for the world.