> Sometimes I ache with the desire to go back and time to visit those past selves, to cradle them as babies or hear their goofy mispronunciations one more time.
Yes, I understand the feeling. You will get that chance when you have grandchildren!
I never understood why grandparents were so into their grandkids until my kids started getting older. Then it clicked.
In many ways, parenting is like a video game where you only get to play each level exactly once before you're dragged to the next one. As soon as you master one stage of your kids' development they've outgrown it and you're back to fumbling your way through unexplored territory again.
Having the chance to play "Human: Level 1" again sounds pretty amazing. Not to mention getting to hold and snuggle a baby again. Babies are amazing, especially when you only have to take care of them part-time.
Yes, I understand the feeling. You will get that chance when you have grandchildren!