So believe it or not, someone actually took me up on my suggestion a couple weeks back, and emailed me a question. I was a bit hesitant upon opening the email, as I was fearful it was going to be a link for peen pills or cha cha toys, but alas, it was a bonafide question. And it went like this: “If you could relive or redo one day in your life, would you and what would it be?” Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I was expecting “what’s your favorite recipe for chicken?”
One day. 24 hours. 1,140 minutes. As a mother, my first answer should be the birth of my children. But I have 2 so I can’t pick just one (not out loud at least ;p ). And let’s face it, child birth isn’t the most flattering visual, nor does it tickle, so aside from the first moment I held those little body wreckers, I wouldn’t say either of those days. The day of my birth you ask? Please remember that the question was asked of me and not my parents. 
My sweet 16? The day I got my driver’s license? The day I made my first real paycheck? No, no and no. I don’t want the chance to relive a day with a deceased relative because I love them all so much I couldn’t bear to lose them again, so I’ll just hold onto the memories.
But I do have one distinct day, one memory, one true regret that still finds me shaking my head and calling my mom and dad to apologize; the day of my high school graduation.
I remember what I wore down to my skivvies. I remember how hot that day was, but it was beautiful nonetheless. I was glad that I passed World Cultures so that I actually could graduate! But after all the speeches, all the tears, all the hugs and kisses, I completely let “my day” engulf me. See, I was so worried that I would miss knowing where my besties were going later, (we didn’t have cell phones back then), that my logic was to go to dinner with my friends and not my family. I continued to argue with my parents about how unfair they were being for getting mad at me because I didn‘t want to go with them. Sadly, I won, left my parents as they waved goodbye, and drove off with my friends. Damnit, this still makes me tear up. Back then, I could turn on the bitch in a millisecond flat. Now it just takes me a full second.
So what I am saying is that, if I could do that whole perfect “up until I turned into a selfish 13 year old” day over, I would in a heartbeat. I would‘ve allowed my parents to feel proud that their youngest, best looking and favorite child had just graduated high school, (yeah I said it #‘s 2&3) instead of making them feel like they were second best. I would have slowed down and not fretted that my answering machine wouldn’t be blinking with messages on where to go first. I wouldn’t have been so damn selfish.
Today they’ll joke about it, “Er, we’re just glad you graduated at all!” But they didn’t deserve that, and at times, I don’t deserve them. But even as I get older and ride that sarcastically fun rollercoaster we call life, my parents have never once left my side, not even the times when I couldn’t stand myself, and each day I appreciate them more. So yes, if there was a day that I could redo, this would be it.
You rock and or roll Jerry and Lolly!!!! xoxo
Follow