I commented on a February 26th HuffPostBooks piece, written by Lev Raphael, about Family Secrets, where he describes some shocking findings after his mother's death. By way of a reply, I left the following comment:
Ah, the mysteries of those gone before us. How may times do we hear of those who wish they could go back and talk to a parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, or other relative whom they knew as a child. How many times do we wish we had asked them about their background and history, and then been aware enough to remember it or appreciate it.
And, as an author, how many times might we have wished that
our mother, or father, or grandparent, or other important person in our lives
might have been able to see us now, as an author.
Our lives are full of 'what ifs' or 'if onlys'. I join with Lev in wishing to solve the
mystery that was his mother's past, and wishing that she might have appreciated
that he was an author. I regret that
these regrets will be among the many of our lives. This will always be.
But there's one thing we can do, and that is to change the
way we go forward, and connect with those who follow us. I wish us all the best in making that happen.