“DO-OVERS ALLOWED” by Tammy Maseberg, January 1, 2013
“Do-over!” Younger brother shouts to his older brother, the pitcher.
“Whatta ya mean? That was perfect,” says older brother.
“No it wasn’t. It almost hit me in the head.”
“Why’d ya swing at it then? Strike three. You’re out.”
“No. Do-over.” Older brother gives the younger boy another chance to hit a pitch.
The above conversation makes us laugh and, if you have kids, you’ve probably heard it. Or, perhaps you remember this scenario with your siblings when you were growing up. As adults we sometimes want, and need, a chance to start over or a second try at re-doing something that didn’t turn out so well. Everyone has regrets—bad decisions, missed opportunities, and wrong roads taken. We all have those things in the past, things we can look back on and wish we could change. A new year gets everyone thinking about a fresh start. That’s why so many people make resolutions on January 1st. There is a sense of new beginnings.