The Idea of Him - what might have been...

Do you ever think about the road not taken? How the choices we don't make might have turned out?

Five years ago, buying our house was a huge decision. Granted I did not think I'd be here five years, so perhaps did not give the decision the gravity it deserved! The right neighborhood, neighbors, schools, sunlight, yard, number of rooms. It was a seller's market - we made 18 offers before we ended up buying a house. 

I sometimes drive by those other houses - I wonder if I made the right choice? If that other house - the one I didn't put the offer in for, the one I came in second on, the one that was just outside of my comfort zone - would have meant a different life? Would I be happier? Would life be easier? For that matter, maybe everything would be so much worse...

And then I think of all the small things that build up a life. It wouldn't just be living in a different house. If we chose another house, that would have potentially changed the whole trajectory of our lives. The chance that I'd have my same son are very slim...and I can't imagine the world without him. Every choice we make leads us to the life we are in now. Some of those decisions are good, some bad, all of them build your life to where it is now. 

You can't go back, you can't change the past. You can only change the choices that come to you now. So when I pass by those houses and start thinking how I wish I had that garden, or extra room, or pool, or different neighborhood - I immediately thank the universe that I bought the house I did, that my life trajectory led me to the world's most amazing son, how I met some amazing people that live in my neighborhood, how I learned what a genius my husband is with building planter boxes...how lucky am I?

This post was inspired by the novel The Idea of Him by Holly Peterson. Allie thought she had the perfect husband, until she finds him and another woman in a compromising position in their own apartment. Join From Left to Write on April 1 we discuss The Idea of Him. Join us for a live chat with Holly on April 3.  As a member, I received a copy of the book for review purposes.