On a whim several weeks ago I painted this because 1) I love to paint, and 2) I wanted something to cover the gaping fireplace opening since my cats seem to think that fireplace and litter box have the same meaning on occasion.  Yes, bad cats!

Anyway, I did this and it was a happy thing because 1) I found a board, unused, that fit the exact area, and 2) the cats could no longer get into the fireplace, and 3) I love the ocean…or, to be really specific, being near the ocean as opposed to in or on it.  I thought I was going to have a heart attack watching The Abyss years ago, Jaws still haunts me,  and being seasick on Lake Powell one time (yes, on a lake!) sort of ended any desire that was really never there anyway of sailing the ocean blue.  Watching it, hearing it, smelling it, touching the edges, and enjoying everything else about it, however, is something I love.  Thus, my quickie version of the ocean to lighten and brighten the room and serve aforementioned purposes.

Last week I got a bugaboo about it and painted over it.

Sob.

Not the same…which means I’ll have to paint over it again until I get it right and now we’re into something entirely not fun anymore because now it involves work and now it involves making corrections and, really, that’s just not as much fun.

Regrets are like that, though.  They result from doing something you wish you hadn’t done in the first place because if you hadn’t done it in the first place, well…

Regrets can also be because of something you wish you’d done and didn’t.  A whole ‘nother can of worms, as my Granny would say.

But since I’m talking about what I wish I hadn’t done, I thought of a few more wish I hadn’ts.

Wish I hadn’t said yes to so many cats…Miss Missy!

Wish I hadn’t gained back some of what I lost.

Wish I hadn’t said no to starting back to college four years ago…I’d be done by now if I had said yes.

Wish I hadn’t stopped writing for so long.

Wish I hadn’t stopped following my dreams.

Wish I hadn’t lost touch with so many people through the years.

Wish I hadn’t made as many mistakes through the years.

Wish I hadn’t forgotten how to just have fun and be myself.

I may be an old dog, er, cat, but still learning new tricks, still learning new ways to bless and be blessed.  God is good like that.  As long as we listen, He speaks, teaches, touches and brings joy, beauty, even from the ashes of our regrets.

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.

Isaiah 61:1-3 (NIV)