The other night, I saw an automobile commercial that got me thinking. In it a group of friends drive through childhood, surrounded by children playing on swings and slides. As soon as the group enters adulthood, however, they make a u-turn back to kiddy-land.
It made me wonder what I would do if I could go back in time and be a kid again.
I figure it would be nice to relive my first kiss. I ran away from Johnny when he tried to kiss me in the seventh grade. Somehow, I still think I’d run away if I had it to do over again.
Life was good when I was growing up in Haiti. Maybe it would be nice to do that over. I used to climb trees, jump out of windows to see if I could fly and dance like I was Michael Jackson. Those were pretty good times.
All that ended when my family fled to escape a political uprising. I don’t think it would be fun to go through that again.
When I was in elementary school in New York, recess was really fun in the winter. All the kids would go sledding down this huge, snow-packed hill. We’d make snowmen, have snowball fights and try to build igloos.
Eventually recess was over and we’d have to get back to work. Class wasn’t as fun, so I think I’d have to pass on that too.
After thinking about it, I’m not so sure I would relive my childhood if I could. My life hasn’t been perfect, but I wouldn’t change a thing. I know that sounds cliché, but I love where I am at this point in my life.
I realize it’s good to look back fondly on what was, but we must make the best of right now. Seize the moment and give it the best you have. Otherwise, the past will be full of missed opportunities we wish we could do over again.
Augustine Rho, 22, is a senior broadcast journalism student from Ft. Lauderdale. She is the Opinions Editor. She can be reached at rhoblaze@aol.com.