Coming this Sunday, PBS’s Masterpiece Theater has given me another reason why I have stipulated that upon my untimely demise all my diaries and letters be burned. Just read this:
Based on the life and letters of Jane Austen, Miss Austen Regrets tells the story of the novelist’s final years, examining why, despite setting the standard for romantic fiction, she died having never married or met her own Mr. Darcy.
Yikes. Was she really unhappy? If I continue to remain unmarried will people wonder why I never met the men I created in my books? Will they look towards the childhood longings of middle school, my high school crush, the ex-model or the wealthy businessman I dated and think that I may have regretted forgoing marriage or life time partnership?
A rich, emotional life on the page is drastically different than real life. I remember having aunts suddenly look at me strange when my first novel came out. Some family friends began to wonder if I were truly as sweet as I appeared. I mean how could such a ‘nice young woman’ (as they like to refer to me) think of such things? The whip cream scene in one of my novels had a family friend sending me strange glances for days (an acquaintance accused me of peeping in her window, but that’s another long and scary story.)
I’m sure I’ll enjoy the production. And I’ll see it for what it is: fiction. The truth is buried with its famous creator. I hope she lived a fabulous life, but one thing I do know is if I end up dying without marrying you can count on this: I lived all my dreams, had a wonderful life and didn’t regret a thing.
Do you have anything you don’t regret? Or do?
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Life is good and for every mistake or trial I have become a better person. I have tried to learn from my missteps and will hopefully be able to guide my children in the right direction. Life is to short for regrets, live and learn and have a great time. Surround yourself with wonderful friends and follow your dreams and everything will work out okay.
BTW I’m sure you’ll find your Mr. Right someday and if you don’t you sound like your okay with that. You dated a model, you lucky girl.
by Patty L.
on February 1st, 2008 at 8:57 am
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Nicely put Patty L.
I really cant say I have any regrets outside of sometimes speaking without thinking.
You will find your special someone when you are least expecting it.
I hope I can learn from any mistakes I do make.
by Pat L.
on February 1st, 2008 at 10:39 am
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I think for the most part, I don’t really regret–as bad as some of them were, my past decisions have helped make me the person I am today. I do want to try to live now so as not to regret later 
Good for you on not regreting, Dara! And sorry, I had to laugh about your acquaintance being convinced you were spying on her–yeesh!
by Fedora
on February 1st, 2008 at 2:12 pm
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I don’t regret any part of my life!
by Estella
on February 1st, 2008 at 3:18 pm
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Oh, dear, guess I’m in the minority here. I regret lots and lots of things. I’m really trying to let go of the past and look forward but I haven’t mastered that yet. I think that’s why I love to read as much as I do - I can lose myself in the fantasy. You can be lonely with or without a man. I guess the trick is to learn to support and like yourself and then everything else is an added bonus 
by catslady
on February 1st, 2008 at 4:37 pm
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I’m more with catslady, in that I do have regrets, but I don’t let them control my life/try not to. Also, the things I regret aren’t crippling my life or anything. I think its most important that you’re happy with your life, and you seem to have that Dara, so good for you! It’s probably more dramatic to say how Jane Austen was a sad lonely woman, and to contrast that with her works. I can’t believe … or I can with the accusation about the window peeping, but wow. Some people. I also don’t think being in a relationship dictates ones life. Sad how so many do.
by JSL
on February 1st, 2008 at 6:30 pm
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I am sorry I married my first husband. We were just too young and didn’t know the first thing about making a marriage work. But that was in the days of no sex until marriage. However, if I were to change anything in my past I wouldn’t be where I am today, so I won’t regret a single thing.
by Laidybyrd
on February 2nd, 2008 at 9:39 am
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There are lots of things in my life that I wished I’d done differently. I consider every mistake to be a learning lesson. What I concentrate on now is living my life to the fullest, trying to make my dreams a reality, bringing happiness to myself and those I love, and impacting the lives of others in my community. Things I would regret not having done.
