"Regrets... I've had a few..."

We have been fortunate to be in Edinburgh this year over summer. The UK has had one of its warmest summers on record. The last three days, however, have been grey, drizzly, often with a cool wind blowing. One local said, "Summer is over". Because of this we have not ventured too far from home. Today we just wanted to go "somewhere" so we put on our coats and caught the bus to a local mall. With time to kill I browsed in the book shop. I discovered a book that looked interesting but resisted the temptation to purchase it. (If I bought any more books I will have to pay extra for our luggage home!) The book was The top five regrets of the dying. 
The author had spent time with dying patients and this book is the result of her reflections on conversations she has had in palliative care work. I share the five regrets to prompt your reflection. 

1. I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
2. I wish I hadn't worked so hard.
3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings.
4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
5. I wish I had let myself be happier.

Reading theology... 
I have been enjoying reading theological books. I am currently engrossed in a book "The Last Week". Jesus scholars, Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan share insights into the last week of Jesus' life reflecting on the gospel of Mark.  As I read I am often exclaiming.. "That is so true!" or "Yeees, great stuff!" and I have to explain to my wife what I am reading. Excited, with possible sermon series and topics running through my mind, I said to her today, "Why am I reading this stuff? My days of teaching and preaching are over? " She just nodded wisely and said, "That's not the only reason for reading it... and anyway, you do not know what you might be doing in the future." 
Good bye Robin Williams... thanks for sharing your life, your humour and talent with us. I appreciated so many roles you played in many thought provoking films.