Sunday, June 24, 2012

My "Do Over" Moment - Don't Take Anything for Granted!



If you were to ask me if I had any regrets about the decisions I've made in my life, I would tell you no.  I honestly believe that the choices we make in our life, both good and bad, help mold us into the people we become.  We have to take the good with the bad, and make the best of what life throws at us. 

That being said, if you were to ask me if there was anything I'd like to "do over," I'd have to say yes!  I don't even have to think twice about an answer.  If I had a "do over" moment, I would go back to the last day that I saw my Grandpa.

My grandpa had been diagnosed with alzheimer's and dementia, and suffered from them the last few years of his life.  We made it a point to visit him often, sometimes we would know who we were, other times he wouldn't.  

 Next month, it will be eight years since my grandpa passed away, and I remember the last day we visited him like it was yesterday.  I was with my mom, my 3 1/2 year old son and my 6 month old daughter.  He loved seeing us, but he especially loved seeing the little ones.  His face would light up when he saw them walk into the room.

That day, as we were leaving, I went to grab my camera so I could take a picture of him with his great-grandchildren.  I quickly realized that I had forgotten it at home.  Of course I was upset, but I knew we would be back the following week and I would just take a few pictures then.

Sadly, the next visit never came.  My grandpa passed away just two days later.  

I still get upset when I think about it, even eight years later.  I missed the opportunity to capture a very special memory, a photograph that would remind my children forever of their great-grandpa. 


Now, I never leave the house without a camera.  I can't let another life-changing opportunity pass by, I just can't risk it again.  This "do over" moment is a constant reminder not to let a special moment pass by without making the most of it.  We don't always get tomorrow, so make sure to make it count today!   


If you had a chance do it over again, what would you do differently?



From Frigidaire:

The Frigidaire Gallery™Dishwasher gets dishes fully cleaned the first time, so there are no dish do-overs. Nearly half of adults admit to re-washing and/or re-drying dishes after the dishwasher cycle has been completed. To prevent dishwasher do-overs, Frigidaire® is stepping in with its new Gallery® Dishwasher featuring the OrbitCleanTM Wash Arm, ensuring dishes are cleaned right the first time.

I was compensated for this post as a member of Clever Girls Collective. All the opinions expressed here are my own.

4 comments:

Shelly Peterson said...

I 'm sure we all have a do over moment. Mine isn't a a sentimental one but I wish I had gone to college after graduating high school so I could have been more secure financially in life

Sippy Cup Mom said...

I'm so sorry. I'm so glad you have great memories of him. I like to keep my camera with me also! Another great reason!

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry you missed the chance to get a photo of him!

We recently got smart phones, and I am soooooo happy we did, because even if I forget my camera now, I have my phone for back up!

Kerri said...

So sorry to hear about your grandpa but what a great moment to pick for a do over.