Lionspaaw, I have to echo Chatty's "WOW". I read your post earlier this morning but didn't have time to respond. But your words have been settling into my soul, making a lot of wise sense to me who has spent far too much time lately in the past, especially remembering the last few weeks of my Mom's death (I read an article in a magazine last month that raised some old regrets and I haven't been able to shake them off).

Your words made me realize again that I have to get out of that place. No amount of stewing over the "what if's" and "could have's" will rewind the tape or make any difference to what's already happened. I have to once again forgive myself, shake off the sense of failure, and keep moving ahead. That whole experience of watching my Mom die the say she did might well be one of those areas in my memory I have to fence off and resolve not to delve into again. What was, was. I can't do anything to change that past.

Thank you so much for writing, Lionspaaw. It's ALWAYS a joy and delight to hear your voice again.