I just this past week had a long distance conversation with a friend who moved back to her home state, sans the long term boyfriend who sent an arrow through her heart. She used the word "wasted" regarding their years together. I pushed back. Then I said that I feel like I wasted most of my adulthood focused on my job. No partner, no kids.

She then told me that I brought beautiful art into the world and so my time hasn't been wasted. It's good to feel that at least one friend will have a lasting memory of my wink of an eye time on Earth.