Recently, my wife and I took time to sit down and systematically look through our many photo albums. They chronicled our lives together for almost half a century. They were an opportunity for us to reflect on our lives.

I am not sure what I expected to learn or to feel.

The photos did not so much record everyday life. They recorded highlights and transitions. They depicted trips, holidays. friends, pets, sightings of wildlife, new cars, new houses, renovations, memorable meals, cakes, children, grandchildren, births, weddings, graduations, and achievements. They also recorded, deaths, lost relationships, disappointments, and struggles.

Looking back, I realized how blessed we have been. We have experienced a wonderful parade of trips, holidays, friends, pets, new cars, new houses, renovations, memorable meals, cakes, children, grandchildren, births, weddings, graduations, and achievements.

I also wondered what I could have done better. I had an overwhelming sense that I missed or overlooked too much. I should have enjoyed and valued those blessings, those friends, those family members even more than I did. I should have rejoiced in them, marveled over them, and been thankful for them. Blessings are not fully blessings if we do not exult in them, if we do not receive them with joy.

I also wish that I had loved more and better, that I had told friends and family members more often that I loved them and appreciated them and valued them. I wish that I had encouraged them more and that I had encouraged them to revel more in their blessings. I wish that I had thanked them better and more often for all that they did for me. I wish that I had comforted them better in their pain, that I had found the right words of comfort and wisdom to say, that I had found better ways to ease their pain and suffering. I wish that I had lived with more grace.