You Should've Done It
M Alan Roberts

When I was 17 and leaving home, I developed a plan, with my mother, to take her to see the Grand Canyon. We would ride the burros down the canyon -- clear to the bottom. She was from Kentucky, and a very simplistic individual. She always wanted to see the western part of the US. She mentioned it often and so it became my goal to take her.

I'm 40 now. My mother passed away this past year, without seeing the Grand Canyon except for in pictures. I wish that I would have dedicated myself more to that goal. I should have done that.

When I was 18, I asked my brother if he would join the gym with me. I was always working out and wanted him to get back into it too. He was married and had his first daughter. He explained to me that he just didn't have the time. He said that when I got older, I would see that working out isn't a priority. I told him that you have to make it a priority; you have to make the time. I assured him that I would always lift weights and develop my health. I wish that I would have listened to my own advice because now I am overweight slob - just like him. I really should have done that.

I remember my father telling me when I was 19 to protect my credit. The world wasn't quite as insane then. I was in a band and having loads of fun. I maxed out my credit cards on party supplies, didn't pay the bills and destroyed my credit. Now, 20+ years later, people actually fall down laughing when I apply for a loan. They won't even let me check out a library book. Dad was right; a person must protect their credit rating. Man, I wish I would have done that.

My truck started acting a bit strange about 8 months ago. It would shake and rattle when it was in use and I thought there would be plenty of time to get it fixed. I put it off and put it off. When I had the money to fix it, I didn't. When I had no money to fix it, I was wishing I did. The shakes turned to quakes and the rattles turned to roars. About 2 months ago, my tough truck bellowed a huge amount of carbon-filled smoke and breathed its final breath as its internal engine components fused together. It locked up solid. I can always see it as I am pedaling to and from my house - got me one of those 3-speed road cruisers now. I really miss my truck and wish I would have taken the time to fix it. I definitely should have done that.

I have so many things that I should do today - things that I have planned to and/or needed to take care of for a long time now. I so have many things that I should do in fact, that I probably won't get around to doing any of them. It just seems overwhelming. I'm sure that I have at least a little more time to work them in.