WOMAN TO WOMAN:

So, recently I received notice of the passing of a very dear friend.  She was 90+ years old and didn't get out as much as she liked.  She counted on visits from friends.  My first thought was "I'm glad I got to visit her."  My second thought was "Oh dear, that visit was last March."  And then my thoughts went to regrets.  How many Christmas cards did I send this past season with the usual "We have to get together."  I checked and it was seven cards.  I put my phone number in each because I don't have phone numbers for these friends so technically, the ball's in their court but still, I regret not keeping in better touch.

Frank Sinatra did it his way and said he had regrets but too few to mention.  I'm afraid I have regrets but not enough time to enumerate all of them.  For example, I have the usual regrets of not finishing school or outgrowing my body which is a nice way of saying I could lose a few pounds.  I regret having big ears (and I know you will be checking on them) but short of having plastic surgery, there's not much I can do with them.

I regret not finishing War and Peace but Dr. Zhivago came out with fewer pages and then the movie had such beautiful music.

I regret not paying more attention growing up.  My maternal grandfather told the best stories about the ragman and the iceman.  He told about the guy who came around and sharpen your knives and the pie truck.  Are you kidding me??!!  A Baker's Square truck that came right to your house!  My paternal grandfather was a fireman but he was also the baker of the family (totally not connected to said pie truck).  He made the best bread and his fruit coffee cakes were to die for.  Now I made sure to be there on baking day but never paid attention to how his pastry delights were made.

As often as I drive down Oak Park Avenue, I pass the roller rink

and remember the days I was on the skate team at Fleetwood Rink and I regret hanging up my skates.  Then again, I suppose I could rent a pair but my family has already given the "you better not" sign, something about falling and breaking a leg.  zzsssh!  But my biggest regret is never hopping on a pogo stick.  That looks like a lot of fun but I get the feeling the family would put the kabosh on that too.

So my list could go on for pages but it's all spilt milk at this point.  I can't live in regrets, I can only move forward and not add any.  I can only try to do better especially when it comes to staying in touch. I can only encourage you to also put your regrets on the back burner and rather create new memories that you'll want to remember for the rest of your lifetime.

Til next month-------------------nice chatting with you
Jan Strojny