Tuesday, December 21, 2010

The Time Machine Is Fixed

Last week on Facebook, a friend of mine posted a strange status update.  He said "The time machine is fixed.  When do you want to return to?"  Boy oh boy, did he ever generate a lot of responses - like 37! 

When I read the status, I expected most people to respond to it in very general terms, ie the summer before college, etc.  But to my surprise, most were very, very specific.  Like July 16, 1983 or September 24, 1999.

These responses got my wheels turning.  What had happened on those days?  Was it the day that they had said something very hateful to a good friend which changed the course of their friendship?  Was it the day she had lost her virginity to someone that she thought was 'the one' who had turned out to be a rat?  Was it the day that they had done something very stupid and caused pain in the life of someone they loved?

Even my own response was very specific.  I would return to December 25, 1977.  One week later my Mom would be diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor.  My world would never be the same.

I would return to that day and drink in every detail.  I would memorize every laugh line on her face.  The timbre of her voice.  The softness of her hands.  The sparkle in her eyes. 

But mostly, I would tell her how very much I love her.  And I would repeat it.  Often. 

So the time machine is fixed.  When do you want to return to?

9 comments:

Busy Bee Suz said...

November 20th, 1993.

xoxoxo

Snooty Primadona said...

Hmmm... The poor machine would surely collapse from all the dates I want to go back to. But, I wish I could go back & spend more time w/ loved ones I've lost. I swear I'd be more attentive & observant next time.

Very tender post...

Jason, as himself said...

Oh, this is a tough one. I suppose I would go back to just before my mom was diagnosed with cancer, too.

But overall, I don't think I would want to go back. I like my life so much better now.

Nelson's Mama said...

Oh, Woody...this post made me cry.

Life is so full of regrets and missed opportunities, days that I wish I go back and savor again, loved ones and pets that I'd give anything to spend just a bit more time with.

But, the thought of picking only one time or day is completely overwhelming to me.

laurenne said...

Gonna get real deep up in here...

Mine would be August 4th 1996. I would go over to my dad's house and convince him not to commit suicide.

However... maybe if I could do that, I'd turn out to be such a different person. And I kinda like who I am.
Thank goodness there aren't really time machines.

Unknown said...

February 20, 2007...the day before my birthday, almost 4 years ago. I would have called my Dad and told him how much I loved him. (He died on my birthday)

Lori said...

((((Woody)))...she knows this my friend...XX

Mental P Mama said...

Oh. Wow.

Bluebird49 said...

August 19, 1998--the day before my daughter died in her sleep. I would take that day and keep it there, or I would have gone over there that day and spent the entire day hugging her.