A fellow writer wrote a beautiful blog on “My Wish List” and as I read her piece, something inside stirred me along with her challenge to write a wish list of my own. I thought, “why not?” This fits in perfectly in my year of turning 50. Reflecting back, here are a few standouts that I remember fondly:
1. I don’t recall what happened to my nanny home tutor. I wish I had stayed in touch with her more often while growing up. I don’t know whether my mother sent her back to her home province or if she left because she had to. Looking back, I wish I knew the reason why.
2. I wish I had the courage to look up at the trees. If I did, what would I have seen? As soon as it started to get dark, I’d run home in fear. My sensitivities as a child were high and I always felt invisible presences around me. Someone or something was looking down on me as I ran home. How I wish I had the bravery to look up!
3. I wish I had kept my gemstone collection. I was way ahead of my time then! I came home from college and living abroad after 5 years and developed a fascination for the occult and the mystic world. My own family couldn’t figure me out and had trouble accepting my weirdness. In anger and frustration, I gave them all away. What a treasure I had then!
4. I wish I had more time and opportunity to get to know my grandparents from both sides of the family. Growing up, both grandfathers were already ill. My grandmother on my father’s side was very attentive and caring however, I felt distanced from her. If I could go back in time, the first thing I’d do is sit beside her, hold her hand and talk to her.
5. I never had a proper college graduation. I graduated off-season and never marched on stage to get my diploma. It was simply mailed to me. I never wore a toga and never had the opportunity to throw my cap into the air. I wonder what it would have felt like?
There are so many things one always wishes for. It’s good to spring clean the mind too. These are five good thoughts and wishes worth remembering!
