Most people have heard the famous (and somewhat overused) quote by John Greenleaf Whittier, "For all sad words of tongue and pen, The saddest are these, 'It might have been'." I don't know if that's completely true, but I do know that as I get older, I think about the things I might have done differently. I have a few regrets, and I'm wondering if I should take the time to correct them.
In the interest of full disclosure, I'll share one thing I wish I could go back and change if I had a chance. Back when I was in college, my high school drama teacher (who had been in poor health for several years) passed away. Many of us who had been in his classes, plays, and musicals went back to our high school for a special program that the school put on in his memory.
After the program, all of my friends and I went out to dinner. I was excited because I had just gotten engaged, and wanted to show off my engagement ring and talk about Bruce to everyone there. During the entire evening, I never went over to the drama teacher's son (who had been in my graduating class) to tell him how sorry I was about the loss of his father.
Granted, I wasn't very good friends with him - he had only attended our school for his junior and senior years and we hadn't really hung out in the same circles. But his dad had just passed away! Someone who I admired and respected! I have no excuses. I was boorish, insensitive, and rude. It may have been a sin of omission, but I still think about it a lot.
I've Googled the guy, but I haven't come up with anything. If I find him somewhere, I'll definitely send an email and ask him to forgive me for being so unfeeling. I'm not wanting to do it just to feel better about it myself, but because it's the right thing to do. If I can reach out to him, it will be one less "might have been" to weigh on my conscience.
