"windsurfing in a beat up van...that sounded funny."
LOL, yes it did, I was wondering how you managed it!
For my serious reply to this thread I would say that although the job I have now WAS my dream job at the time I got it, it's grown rather frustrating. But, in a bigger way is has been a true gift, if for no other reason than it provided a fine income with which I was able to raise my daughter.
As many regrets and recriminations as I do have with myself, I will say that I was lucky enough to have a child. And she has been a great joy, not just to me, but to her whole family. She's a truly special person, really takes after her dad (for good and ill) and my brother (ditto), but she is indeed a gift from God, and I can never feel my life was wasted.
I guess my really biggest regret is that I didn't have about 10 kids, although I never thought I wanted to do that. Of course it is always God's plan.
Years and years ago I had an experience where my life actually flashed before my eyes, I remember thinking "Thanks God, it's wasn't half bad!" So as melancholy of a person as I actually am I must say, God is Good and He has blessed this wonderful country, which is so good to us all.
I got married in my late 30's when I was doing my fellowship and my son was born 2 years later. Having my son changed my whole life. I know that sounds corny and cliche, but for I guy who had spent over a decade literally living at hospitals to pursue and learn the art of healing, I was suddenly jolted back to reality. It was like, wow...my life now has real purpose and medicine was a life, but a career. I remember coming home in the mornings after long call nights and my son, then about 5 or 6 months old, crawling as fast as he can to the door to greet me when he hears me jiggling the door knob with the keys. A jubilant beaming smile on his face, nobody on earth is ever this happy to see me, and this always made me felt "Why did I wait so long to have a child?" I now have 3, boy, girl, girl.