The Absent Uncle: Ah ... mistakes

As you get to an advanced age (in my case 73 and counting (thankfully) you start to realize the number of times you have just plain screwed up. Made a mistake – what were you thinking of – looking for a do over.

This column is not going to be a confessional. I’m not going to tell all, name all, ask for forgiveness, but all that can be done and laughed about. And not do it again! 

But what I will tell you is that if you haven’t made any mistakes (or admitted them), you just haven’t been honest with yourself. 

The mistakes or outright errors are not good things. I can look back on the details that I strive to forget and try to make up for. They are embarrassing stuff I would have thought I would never have done. 

And with a bit more time and mileage on my life, wouldn’t have. 

For instance, I have decided to have my second knee replaced later this month. It will be four months and a day between the surgeries. But the experience of the first operation (and the mistakes and errors I made in preparing and recovery from it) will benefit me in the second replacement. 

Overall, I had a very successful experience with the right knee replacement. 

But, to be honest, I really didn’t do all the work necessary prior to the operation to strengthen both legs and after the operation I really could have done a better job in rehab to alleviate some of the discomfort. Causing some pain for the long-term gain is really very true in this experience.   

That is where taking responsibility and the recognition of the error comes in. (In my first draft of this column I used the word “guilt” instead of the recognition phrase, but that seemed too harsh!) It doesn’t allow forgetfulness. No – any mistake is yours forever.   

Whatever circumstance, whatever rationale, whatever (fill in the blank) … it means nothing. The shortcoming or mistake is always yours (and mine). You can try to make up for it (if possible) and should. That is what time and mileage are all about.

Not to be a downer – that is the way it is. Make a mistake – live with it. Don’t do it again.