Mistakes I made as a young man

When I look back at my 78 years, I've done things that others can only dream about (22 yrs Navy). On the other hand, I've seen things no man/women should ever have to see (Viet Nam). Sure I've made my share of mistakes but as noted in the OP, only the guy up above will judge me when my time comes which will probably come sooner than I anticipate.
 
Did some of the usual- not saving early on, buying cars, etc.
So I'll tell a specific tale which may or may not have been an error.
There I was at a Pawn Shop in West Memphis, Arkansas.
Looking at the guns.
I see this large fitted case with four Revolvers and accessories.
I ask, what is that?
He pulls it out and I get a closer look.
It's 2 Colt Flattop Bisley Targets and 2 Smith Swing Open Revolvers , also with target sights. A brass plate says a London company.
I've posted about my Buddy Frank whose Uncle gifted him a pair of Flattop Bisleys which hung on his closet door in a Buscadera rig. I turned green with envy every time I saw them!
Meanwhile in Arkansas- The price is more than I have, but with a layaway I could return with more cash.
But it would clean me out!
But the real stopper was the Caliber. I had never heard of it! Even years later, I don't think I've ever seen another gun with that caliber on the barrel.
Now that I have your attention, what the hell was that mysterious caliber?
476 Eley.
So would you have bought them, or walked , which is what I did?
 
robvious said:
all my mistakes made me who I am.. and, though it took a while, I kinda like me... not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but like those old shoes.. broken in and comfortable, only slightly smelly and don't pay any attention to the scrapes and scuffs, they will buff out if I need to go anywhere fancy...
Click to expand...

This is the way I look at it. I would not be the man I am without those mistakes. Some ended up turning out for the better. When I look back it is to smile at all the good memories. Those on the other side of the teeter-totter are best left back there.
 
I was always pretty good at saving money and I worked a ton of hours at a big Mexican Restaurant in Tulsa growing up called Casa Bonita. Had about $10,000 in the bank when I graduated from high school in 1977 then went to college and got an engineering degree and an MBA. I learned a lot about the power of annuities and compounding interest and in my 40s had a 3500 sf house on an acreage in a beautiful gated neighborhood, motorcycle, ski boat, pool, 40 guns and basically everything I ever wanted. I thought life would just keep getting better but then I got a divorce and lost half my money plus had to pay 4 figures/monthly for alimony and CS. About the same time the big recession and mortgage bundling fiasco hit and I had over a million in houses I couldn't hardly give away and I didn't get paid on a big commercial construction project because the guy was playing the stock market and lost all his money. So at 50 I was broke and very depressed. By the grace of God I'm doing great now with a beautiful wife and have very little debt and a nice 401K and rent houses so I should have a very comfortable retirement when I quit in a couple of years. You never know what life is going hand you just try to do the best you can, hang on, and enjoy the ride!
 
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As the song goes I'm a Simple Man. And at 55 I'm satisfied. Yes I made mistakes. We all have. At times I think I did not accomplish all that I could/should have. Then my wife reminds me of all I have accomplished. I'm content to live the rest of my life in retirement doing whatever I want. Because I missed out on a lot working like a dog my whole life.
 
We are the products of our upbringing and youth. My upbringing was good. My youth does not bear my own scrutiny, let alone that of others. That guy n the mirror was his own worst enemy.
 
When I look back on my life at the mistakes I made, and the regrets I have, well... let's just say, it could have been worse! I'm still here to tell the tale, so to speak.

John
 
Oh Hell...One of the mistakes I made was just getting out of bed some mornings... did a lot of stupid things...drank too much...chased after Red Headed women....unfortunately I caught one or two. But I did some good stuff. At 15 I made more money than my parents together. Bought guns bought my mother a new house before I was 21...she deserved it. Sold my guns and bought a house when I got married...she was not a red head. Done lots of things wrong...but if'n you are smart you learn from your mistakes. Never thought I would live to see Y2K...but here we all are...looking at the past and thanking the big guy upstairs for the life we've lived...At leastI do
 
I will have to get the list from my wife of 34 years she has everything documented.......

On the other hand, I have been blessed beyond my wildest dreams and in a recent conversation with my mom recognized someone upstairs has watched over me.

I did my best to screw everything up, but at 63 retired, no bills reasonable savings, playing golf, collecting guns hunting......God blessed me even though I am undeserving.
 
As a young man, I made a lot of mistakes. I'm truly amazed that I've lasted this long.
Now at age 70, I still make mistakes. Almost on a daily basis. You'd think that by now, I'd have run out of new ways to mess up. But I continue to surprise myself. :rolleyes:
 
Be easier to count the things i did right. Although the more mistakes you made, the more ya learned.
 
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