The regrets were the worst part of growing old. They collected like dust in the corners of my mind, but I had made peace with the way my life had turned out.

Or so I thought.

That February morning started like any other. I shuffled through my morning routine and counted my spare change before I headed out for my grocery run.

Close up of a man’s hands counting out spare change | Source: Midjourney
Close up of a man’s hands counting out spare change | Source: Midjourney

The cold bit through my worn jacket as I walked the six blocks to Save-Mart, my breath creating little clouds that disappeared into the gray sky.

A group of kids ran past me, their laughter echoing off the brick buildings, and I found myself wondering how long it would take for life to scour away their carefree joy