Healing through words 😄

Some misunderstandings last for years, not because the truth is missing, but because pride refuses to deliver the message. 😔

If I Had a Free Return Ticket to Anywhere, I’d Travel Backwards.

If someone handed me a free round-trip ticket to anywhere in the world, please don’t expect me to scream, “Paris! Switzerland! Maldives.”

No, thank you.

I’ve seen enough beautiful pictures of people posing with mountains to know that mountains aren’t going anywhere. Besides, my photography skills can make even a five-star holiday look like evidence from a missing-person investigation.

I’d rather travel somewhere much more interesting.

I’d book a flight to the past

Not to change history, save the world or meet some famous personality. Good heavens, I have enough trouble managing my own little world!

I’d simply revisit a few moments where life took a wrong turn and my brain decided to go on permanent leave.

Like that moment when I said, “I’m absolutely fine,” while my facial expressions were screaming, “Somebody called an ambulance for my emotions.”

Or those family arguments where I had a perfectly reasonable explanation, but somehow everyone else had already appointed themselves judge, jury and executioner.

And then there’s one particular journey I’d definitely make.

I’d go back to the day my brother misunderstood me over something I hadn’t even done.

I don’t know how a simple misunderstanding turned into a full-fledged family mystery, but somehow I became the main accused without even getting a chance to present my defence!

No investigation, no cross-examination, not even a two-minute hearing. What a judicial system.

And my brother stopped talking to me.

Years have passed. YEARS!

At this rate, even the oldest pending court cases might have reached a verdict, but our conversation is still waiting for its first hearing.

And what did I do? Nothing particularly heroic. I let the silence continue. Perhaps pride was sitting between us, enjoying the best seat in the house, eating popcorn and refusing to move.

If I could go back, I’d probably walk up to him and say:

“Listen, Mr Judge, can we reopen this case? The accused would like to submit that she is innocent, terribly missed you, and is no longer interested in serving a lifetime sentence for something she didn’t do.”

And then I’d probably add, “Now stop behaving like a government office and talk to me.”

Of course, I’d follow it up with something delicious to eat. Because in our family, food has always been a more effective peace treaty than lengthy discussions.

I’d also revisit a few other moments, correct some silly misunderstandings, laugh at my foolish decisions and perhaps give my younger self a little advice.

Something like: “Dear girl, think before speaking, but don’t spend the next twenty years thinking about what you should have said.”

But here’s the thing.

I wouldn’t want to change every embarrassing moment. Some of my biggest blunders have become my favourite stories. And honestly, without a few spectacular mistakes, what would I write about?

So, after sorting out a little unfinished business, I’d happily board my return flight.

Because the past is worth visiting, but it isn’t worth living in.

And perhaps some journeys aren’t about discovering new places. They’re about finding the courage to heal old distances.

Now, here’s my question:

If you had a free round-trip ticket to ANY moment in your life, where would you go?

Would you correct a misunderstanding, relive a beautiful memory, apologise to someone, or perhaps travel back to the day you bought those ridiculously expensive shoes?

And if there’s someone you’ve stopped talking to over a misunderstanding, perhaps you don’t need a flight ticket after all.

Sometimes, all it takes is one message.

Although, in my case, I wouldn’t mind a little help from an airline. Just in case my brother has changed his phone number. 😂❤️