If only...

I‘m reminded today of how, in spite of our best efforts, we will sometimes have to live our lives with regrets. My very best friend’s mother passed away early this morning, which is painfully close to the same time of year I lost my own mother 3 years ago. I will always remember my last visit with my friend’s Mom a couple of weeks ago- I hadn’t been able to see my friend to give her a birthday card, so I left it with her Mom and told her to give it to my friend the next time she saw her. (Just another way God works things out- I would have missed seeing her one last time.) We sat on the couch for a while, talking about all the things we usually talked about; chickens, the weather, babies, and dogs. Then I stood up, told her I’d better be going because I had a few more errands to run, hugged her, and said goodbye.
And now she’s gone.
And today, I can't help but think: if only I would have known that was the last time I'd talk to her, I would have stayed a little longer. If only I would have known I would never see her again, I wouldn't have been in such a hurry.
If only….

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which was planted; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance…”
Ecclesiastes 3: 1, 2, 4