There we were today, Peter and I, sitting in the cosy backyard of our favourite café, wrapped in the warmth of the summer sun and the easy comfort of conversation.
Amid the soft hum of voices and the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee, a question rose quietly between us: what would be the one thing I would regret not doing in my lifetime?
And almost as gently as a whisper, the answer came. I would regret not gathering my reflective writings into a collection.
It was not a new thought, really, but something that seemed to rise from deep within me, something long carried in my heart. That longing feels so closely woven into who I am that to leave it undone would feel like leaving part of myself unshared, unfinished, and perhaps too easily lost to time.
To gather these writings into a collection is about so much more than simply placing words on pages. It is about honouring the path they came from. It is about drawing together the quiet threads of memory, imagination, experience, faith, and truth, and shaping them into something that others may hold in their hands and carry in their hearts. It feels, to me, like giving lasting shelter to words that were born in reflection, and offering them not only to those who read them now, but also to the generations that will come after me.
When I imagine myself at the end of life, surrounded by those I love, I do wonder what I would regret leaving undone. And for me, it would be this. The reflections left scattered. The pages never gathered. The quiet truths and faith-filled thoughts never drawn together into one place. The words written in sincerity, yet never fully shared. To keep setting aside that gentle prompting to gather them would feel like turning away from something deeply true.
Today, in the stillness of that summer afternoon, I felt that truth settle more deeply in my heart. This is not just a passing thought or a lovely idea. It is something far deeper. It speaks of legacy, purpose, vision, and courage. It speaks of wanting to leave behind not only memories, but something of my inner life, something that may still speak when my own voice has fallen quiet.
So I want to let these words find their place together. Because somewhere within those pages lives part of my legacy, the echo of my faith, the shape of my journey, and the fulfilment of something my heart has carried for a very long time. And when my final chapter one day closes, I hope I will be able to say that I lived truthfully, that I honoured what had been placed within me, and that I was brave enough to gather my writings and share them with others, especially those who come after me.
Apples of Gold 
Jaana I want to pre-order your book because I already know it’s one I’ll read over and over! You have a way with words that inspires me very deeply. I too had this realisation – only in the past few weeks. It’s such an exciting moment.
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How kind of you!!! That is exciting that you have had a similar realisation! Is it to also write a book or a different dream altogether?
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Just turn on the tap. Let the words flow..they will find the right course…
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So true!! Thank you!!
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Good luck on your dream. I also feel the need, to write, to share stories of my family and myself for generations down the road. Happy writing and may God guide us both.
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Yes, it’s a need within me too. Thank you!! May God guide you too!
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It is a beautiful dream and one that I feel you are well and truly capable of. Yet, I also noticed that you enjoyed the time with your husband Peter in the backyard of your favourite cafe. To be in the present, to enjoy each moment and yet have the courage to launch out into the deep, well in a way that is an art form in itself. That is why I so enjoy contemplative prayer. It keeps one grounded and yet expands one’s horizons. Your dream is in you and for it to blossom, it also needs silence, stillness and simplicity. Please forgive me if this is not something also true for you.
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Oh yes!! Very much so!! Silence, stillness and simplicity are all needed!!
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You are such a beautiful and exquisite writer. Your words move me. I’m in the process of writing one~it would’ve been a regret to not do it. From our friends here that also love to spill over words from the heart~follow your dream ~and let’s all watch what God will do through you!❤️
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Oh, what a lovely message to receive!! Thank you for your encouragement!!
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Is my pleasure!! 🥰
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This morning a lady sent me this quote by Max Picard so I have been sharing it with people. “Silence is the net under the tightrope walker”. I looked up a meditation where the quote was mentioned and then read, “We are walking, trying to find the right words to explain our experience and the right actions to match our values. Silence is that safety net that allows us to fall; it admits, as poets (your writing is poetic) often do, that no words or deeds will ever be perfectly right or sufficient. So the poet keeps trying, for which we are grateful!” Keep writing and underneath may you feel the net embracing you.
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I love this!! Thank you!!!
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Thanks so much for both comments. I am just aware of the need in myself for these three aspects. Silence (letting go of thoughts), stillness (letting go of desires) and simplicity (letting go of self analysis). It is not that we can’t have dreams. It is just that we need that underlying net where we know we are loved, full stop no matter what. Our life can easily go skew whiff and dreams always don’t come to fruition but maybe, just maybe there is a bigger dream which we don’t always understand. Having said that, I really want you to keep on going with your writing.
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Yes!!! I agree!!
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One more thing I love to rest in, in silence we learn to accept the gift of our own being. Of course there is a toxic silence but this is the silence that is Love.
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Yes
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