If you could pick an age to relive, how old would you be now? What year would it be?
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (43635)
September 19, 2023 5:03pm CST
Today, my oldest grandson asked me this question. I told him I had to really give it some thought. He asked me, was it your wedding day? And I had to tell him, no, it wasn't. I told him I didn't regret my marriage at all, because I have such a wonderful family.
I've thought about his question this afternoon. Being able to watch my children grow up is, of course, priceless. That could be it. But then there are other times etched into my mind--seeing them graduate from high school and college, being so proud of them for all they accomplished. The births themselves. The fun times of course, and then like everyone there were hard times, like the year that 3 of my children had to have surgeries, all within a 2 month period. The year my first child died. Losing some other family members that were very much loved by all of us.
This is the one grandchild that comes up with the hard questions at times, the questions that really make me think. But that's good, he is interested and curious, and always wants to ask about different times, and some of the family members he didn't get to know, as they passed away before he came along. I am glad he is interested, many kids are not, I know.
I am really going to have to think more about his question. How about you? Did you have a favorite time of life so far, a best year ever?
16 people like this
17 responses
@LadyDuck (473955)
• Switzerland
20 Sep 23
@MarieCoyle 
We were so happy, we went out on weekends with my parents, a very happy family.
We were so happy, we went out on weekends with my parents, a very happy family.2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (43635)
•
20 Sep 23
You have had a love for a lifetime, which is something very special. I am glad for you, Anna.
3 people like this
@MarieCoyle (43635)
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20 Sep 23
If I could just re-do a few things it would make me feel better but hey...it's done, there is not a re-do button. I have a few years in mind I would like to revisit as they were good years. Not sure if one of them is better than another, though.
3 people like this
@Shavkat (140443)
• Philippines
25 Sep 23
@MarieCoyle I loved it because I saw how my late father felt the pride.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43635)
•
20 Sep 23
Graduating is a huge milestone in life, I can see why it was so important to you.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (43635)
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25 Sep 23
@Shavkat
I know when my children all graduated from high school and college, I was so proud of them. I did feel sorry for my granddaughter. She graduated from high school as the valedictorian, during the height of the pandemic. She had to give her speech online for it, plus graduate basically virtually. I hated that part of it, but she did take it all very well.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (52305)
• United States
19 Sep 23
This is a tough one. I don’t think that I can narrow it down to just one year.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (43635)
•
19 Sep 23
I'm having a hard time with it, myself. Of course every year, every month, week, day--has it's good and bad, happy or sad times. It's kind of hard to sort them out and decide.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (43502)
• United States
22 Sep 23
There are several best years in the past, but 2023 isn't one of them. But I still have a lot to praise God for.
2 people like this
@1creekgirl (43502)
• United States
23 Sep 23
@MarieCoyle Thanks so much, Marie.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43635)
•
23 Sep 23
This hasn't been our best year, for sure, for me or for one of my children. All I can do is soldier onward...and not give up. But you know all about not giving up. Keep on, Vicki, you'll get there!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43635)
•
21 Sep 23
Doesn't really seem that long ago, does it, Gill?
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43635)
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21 Sep 23
@Gilljane
My music preferences are all over the place. I love oldies. I truly detest rap music.
2 people like this
@Gilljane (2902)
• Sutton, England
21 Sep 23
@MarieCoyle No it does't. I am listening to 60s music now
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (37812)
• Toccoa, Georgia
20 Sep 23
The 1990s was my happiest decade. That's when both my son's were born and they were the good small kids. My husband and I did have fun with them.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (43635)
•
21 Sep 23
I had a lot of fun with mine too...good, good memories.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (115761)
• Marion, Ohio
20 Sep 23
I would go back to the year I lost my son. Even if I could not change what happened I could have told him more often I loved him at least.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (43635)
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20 Sep 23
When I made this post, I thought of the time of losing my first child, but he was a baby. I knew it might possibly bring back memories some others like you had of children who we lost....I bet he knew you loved him very much, Eva.
1 person likes this
@mom210 (9110)
• United States
22 Sep 23
@MarieCoyle I'd keep the same ole guy, but I think I might have been less strict with the kids. the older ones do not confide in me like I'd like them to. I wanted to be that mom, especially for the girls, that they tell everything to. now on the flip side they are very close with each other and confide in each other. makes me feel a little like they are afraid of what I might say when they tell me things. almost like there is a parents vs kids mentality.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43635)
•
21 Sep 23
I used to think if I had to do it over, I would have married someone else. I know I would have waited a few more years to get married. But if I had married someone else, I wouldn't have had the same children, so there's that to think of, too.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43635)
•
23 Sep 23
@mom210
All you can do is the best you know how to do. We all say and do things in life that we look back on and ask ourselves just why we did or said that? It's just part of life. I can tell by your writing that you love your children very much, and love is the most important.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (226269)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 Sep 23
@MarieCoyle The good part is that I still feel like a musician and softball player. Even if I'm just an old fart trying to get my will signed.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43635)
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21 Sep 23
@TheHorse
Age doesn't matter. You are not an old fart. Just because the body isn't 20 anymore, doesn't mean you're done living, but you know that. It seems you are always busy.
@MarieCoyle (43635)
•
21 Sep 23
Time marches on, and sometimes it leaves imprints on our bodies!
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (43635)
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21 Sep 23
I completely understand where you're coming from, Shiva.
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99397)
• Atlanta, Georgia
20 Sep 23
@MarieCoyle That is a hard question.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43635)
•
20 Sep 23
I am the same, Ruby. This young man asks hard questions at times!
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (188220)
• United States
20 Sep 23
I'm sorry to hear about your child. That must be incredibly hard. As far as my favorite times, I would love to relive the 60s and 70s. Such good times. I became serious about a guy in 1966 who was to become my husband in 1970. I was 18 at the time we started dating. Have a good day.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (188220)
• United States
20 Sep 23
@MarieCoyle Yup. I wish we had 50 more.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43635)
•
21 Sep 23
@LindaOHio
My (ex) in laws, who I am still close to, have been married 74? years. I mean...that is a LONG time. I read the other day that Jimmy and Rosaline Carter have been married 77 years. I can't imagine it!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43635)
•
20 Sep 23
You have reason to celebrate that time in your life, over 50 years together is a big deal, Linda.
1 person likes this
@KarenAnne (257)
• United Kingdom
20 Sep 23
Am I reliving that year exactly as it was or with my current memories and knowledge?
Some years were fun so I'd be happy to do them again just as they were. If I've got my current memories and knowledge I'd want to go back to the not-fun years and change a few decisions (and tell some folks to get lost before they hurt people).
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43635)
•
21 Sep 23
I would be tempted to do the same to a few people who hurt people, including myself. I totally understand that.
@snowy22315 (189103)
• United States
19 Sep 23
Probably my college years. I would make different decisions for certain. Of course at the time, I didn't even know anything about Speech Pathology and Audiology which would have been my preferred major.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43635)
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19 Sep 23
Snowy, I think most of us would have made some different decisions. I know I can think of some I should have done differently, but we can’t go back and change them, unfortunately. We can only go forward as we know. If I had it to do over again, I would have gone into the medical field.
@RasmaSandra (84712)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
19 Sep 23
That would have to be 1994 the year I moved to Latvia and met my soul mate however, since I could never relive that time I would rather just keep it in fond memory. I was 37 years old.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43635)
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19 Sep 23
Rasma, I am glad that you have a fond memory of that time. I love good memories.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43635)
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20 Sep 23
He doesn't forget, either. If I don't come up with an answer, he will remind me! But that's ok.
I think I may have to tell him the same thing you said, that I don't think I can pinpoint any one time, either.
1 person likes this
