I Wouldn’t Relive a Year

— The Best Is Yet to Come

, “If you could relive one year of your life, which would it be?”

It’s an interesting question because, on the surface, it sounds like an easy one. Who wouldn’t want to go back and re-experience a moment of joy, a year of success, or a time when our bodies were stronger and the days seemed to stretch forever? Or go back and not make that big mistake that changed your live, I’ve had so many beautiful years—times that shaped me in ways I’ll never forget. But after thinking about it, I realized I wouldn’t relive a single one. Not one.

Sure, it’s tempting to imagine turning the clock back. To undo mistakes. To take better care of myself. To relive my youth with the knowledge I have now. I worked hard my whole life—sometimes too hard—and there were plenty of times I didn’t treat my body as kindly as I should have. If I could go back, maybe I’d rest a little more, eat better, and not try to do everything at once. But the truth is, I learned my lessons through those years, not in spite of them. The aches, the scars, and the stumbles all had purpose.

I’ve made my share of mistakes, but I have no regrets—and I mean that. Regret is a heavy thing to carry, and I decided a long time ago to leave it behind. Everything that has happened, both the good and the bad, brought me right here—to this moment in time. And this is exactly where I’m supposed to be.

My life has been filled with blessings: five decades with the woman I love, raising three wonderful daughters, and watching seven grandchildren grow into their own unique lives. There’s laughter in our house, stories around the table, and more love than I ever dreamed possible. I wouldn’t trade any of it, and I wouldn’t want to relive it, either—because I already lived it fully.

When I look back, I realize the person I am today didn’t come from the easy parts. It came from the struggles, the failures, and the quiet moments when I didn’t know what to do next but kept going anyway. That’s where real growth happens—when life tests you and you choose to learn instead of quit.

I live my life by a simple saying: “The best is yet to come.” Those words aren’t about ignoring the past; they’re about honoring it while believing that tomorrow still holds something worth reaching for. I’ve seen enough of life to know that gratitude and hope are powerful forces. They don’t erase pain—they give it meaning.

Time is not my enemy. Time is my teacher. It has softened my edges, deepened my patience, and taught me to find beauty in the ordinary moments I once rushed past. I don’t see time as something slipping away anymore—I see it as something that’s been generously given to me, one sunrise at a time.

So no, I wouldn’t relive a single year. I’ll keep the memories, the lessons, the laughter, and even the scars. Each of them is a chapter in a story that’s still being written. I’m still learning, still dreaming, still walking toward what’s next—because the best chapters of my life are the ones I haven’t lived yet.

The best isn’t behind me. It’s right ahead—and I’m ready for it.