IF ....................

you could go back into the past and change just ONE thing, what would it be and why?

My father and brother became estranged in 1972, never to utter a word to each other ever since. My brother claims not to have a father, my father has no son. Mom died without experiencing the joy in her heart that father and son were re-united. In hindsight, if I was only given one wish, I would do whatever was necessary to attempt to prevent the injury, or try to fix it while it was still young and tender.

What would you do, if you could?

I would have swapped my little baby ass with one of Bill gates kids.

You wanted to be an author??

I didn't know you were a writer, but that certainly explains some things (such as the uncharacteristic impeccable punctuation, and high expressiveness of your posts). And your entertaining analogies used to help people better understand the Virgo male seem all the more appropriate.

A writer! Hmph. I should have known.

Oh, and I don't know who Mr. Bradbury is. 😛

"I would've taken Ray Bradbury's advice: I would've taken the big chance, moved to NY, and become an author"

Dyr, are you dead? To be an accomplished author, doesn't mean you have to live in NY, plus, you are still alive. If writing is your art and you want to be published, then what the hell . . . do it, dude !!!!!!!!!!!!

"I've practically memorized THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES! I try to blend poetry, science, and fiction as he did - but my efforts pale to transluscence in comparison..."

If you compare yourself to Bradbury, you'll likely get kicked in the arse. Hell, why not shoot for Asimov, King, or even Hemingway? You are you, not him.

It's your voice that needs to be heard, not a mimic of him. I admit, his prose is geunise and makes him one of literatures masters, but, that doesn't mean that you have to set your goals to his level. Set it to your level.

It's YOUR picture to paint in words . . not his.

I would have studied math more seriously in middle-school.

"my parents lived a long time togather just for my sake....till their final seperation....too late for any of them to a fresh start. even at that time I could see my mom as very beautiful but unloved unhappy woman..."

Archer, it tears me apart when I think of couples like this. These days people don't do this to theirselves, but, back then . . . .

So many times, I hear people talk about how their parents and grandparents stayed together until death parted them, and I often wonder . . were they really happy, or, did they just stay together for the sake of the children? Both my grandparents stayed together, and when I look back, I can see in hindsight . . they weren't happy at all, they didn't share smiles, or eye twinkles, they didn't regard each other's words with respect.

I'm so glad I'm living in this time, whre people don't feel like they HAVE to stay together for the children. I'd rather have one parent, then two that were miserable with each other.

I feel for you, Archer . . I can imagine how aweful of a feeling that must be. Especially, since you were the child. Not that it's your fault, you were an innocent child . . but, indirectly, it was you they were trying to protect. I'm sorry you are having to reflect on that . . I shouldn't have brought the subject up . . .

I wouldn't change anything because if I did I wouldn't be the person I am today and I may not have the people in my life that I have now including my children. I cherish what I do have and take that and try to make my life better from there and I don't worry about "what ifs".

>you could go back into the past and change just ONE thing, what would it be and why?

Fun to consider isn't it?

I suppose we're talking about something in our personal lives.

I would go back to my young self around age 15 or so and tell myself to get to know Horses. Join 4-H, stop by someones home who has horses and offer to clean stalls in exchange for learning about horses and riding... training... I'd say "they'll change your life. They'll save your life".

perhaps, I'm just silly, or childish 😉 but well, I guess I haven't lived long enough to really regret anything; I have had a disfunctional home life, and some limited social skills, but they are a part of what is ulitmately comprises me; to ask me to change the very fabric of my self is overall, in my opinion is foolish, if I can look forward to tomorrow, and aim higher there...things happen for a reason; whether we LET THEM, OR DON'T; it happens for a higher purpose beyond our know-how....we only have today to work with, and towmorrow to contemplate/prepare for.....