--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If I could go back in time, I'd return to…" description: "\"If I could go back in time, I'd return to when my parents were alive and appreciate them more than I did when I was growing up.\" — Rolf Harris" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d8/rolf-harris-20816_alive_if-i-could-go-back-in-time-i-d-return-to_973062.jpg" --- # If I could go back in time, I'd return to when my parents… ![“If I could go back in time, I'd return to when my parents were alive and appreciate them more than I did when I was growing up.” quote by Rolf Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d8/rolf-harris-20816_alive_if-i-could-go-back-in-time-i-d-return-to_973062.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d8/rolf-harris-20816_alive_if-i-could-go-back-in-time-i-d-return-to_973062.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d8/rolf-harris-20816_alive_if-i-could-go-back-in-time-i-d-return-to_973062.jpg) > “If I could go back in time, I'd return to when my parents were alive and appreciate them more than I did when I was growing up.” [Rolf Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rolf-harris/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Regret over missed appreciation for parents, urging present gratitude before loss makes reflection impossible. **In simple terms:** Appreciate parents now. Key Takeaway Express love and gratitude today. Themes family regret gratitude time memory Mood melancholic hopeful Type reflective inspirational When to use this quote - family gatherings - personal journaling - legacy planning Key Concepts emotional intelligence life reflection interpersonal relationships Questions to Reflect On - What can you do today to honor your parents? - How does reflecting on loss change your priorities? A Different Perspective May cause sadness without actionable steps. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) [Alive Appreciate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive-appreciate-1882195/) [Go](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/go/) [More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/more/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Parents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parents/) [Parents Alive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parents-alive-426928/) [Return Parents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/return-parents-1882194/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Time Return](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time-return-1882196/) ## Related quotes > [I don't know what's so disappointing about being alive, but I will say that the longer I'm alive, the more I appreciate not dying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scarface/i-don-t-know-what-s-so-disappointing-about-being-alive-but-i-will-say/) [Scarface](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scarface/) > [The big problem in the long process of dumbing down the schools is that you can reach a point of no return. How are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-big-problem-in-the-long-process-of-dumbing-down-the-schools-is/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [A wretched child Is he who does not return his parents' care.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euripides/a-wretched-child-is-he-who-does-not-return-his-parents-care/) [Euripides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euripides/) > [If my parents were still alive, they would be very proud. They gave me a good start in life, the values that have driven…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-ferguson/if-my-parents-were-still-alive-they-would-be-very-proud-they-gave-me/) [Alex Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ferguson/) > [Never trust time that will return you to the past; but believe yourself to prepare for tomorrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/authentication29/never-trust-time-that-will-return-you-to-the-past-but-believe/) [Authentication29](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/authentication29/) > [“When our time is over, I must return you the way I found you, pure and innocent.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgia-le-carre/when-our-time-is-over-i-must-return-you-the-way-i-found-you-pure-and/) [Georgia Le Carre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgia-le-carre/) > [Beware of those who give you their watch and take your time from you in return.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/beware-of-those-who-give-you-their-watch-and-take-your-time-from-you/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Time to return the favor to our parents before its too late.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/time-to-return-the-favor-to-our-parents-before-its-too-late/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [O, call back yesterday, bid time return](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/o-call-back-yesterday-bid-time-return/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [You go away for a long time and return a different person - you never come all the way back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-theroux/you-go-away-for-a-long-time-and-return-a-different-person-you-never/) [Paul Theroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-theroux/) > [Every time I have to return to Paris, I find myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-matuidi/every-time-i-have-to-return-to-paris-i-find-myself/) [Blaise Matuidi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-matuidi/) > [We're captive on the carousel of time, we can't return we can only look behind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/we-re-captive-on-the-carousel-of-time-we-can-t-return-we-can-only/) [Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/) > [“It was 1965 and life seemed easier. Her parents were alive and so was her brother, her bones were hard and strong and her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-mccorkle/it-was-1965-and-life-seemed-easier-her-parents-were-alive-and-so-was/) [Jill McCorkle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-mccorkle/) > [A Jewish man with parents alive is a fifteen-year-old boy, and will remain a fifteen-year-old boy until they die!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-roth/a-jewish-man-with-parents-alive-is-a-fifteen-year-old-boy-and-will/) [Philip Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-roth/) > [“Good Christ, a Jewish man with parents alive is a fifteen-year-old boy, and will remain a fifteen-year-old boy till they die!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-roth/good-christ-a-jewish-man-with-parents-alive-is-a-fifteen-year-old-boy/) [Philip Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-roth/) ## More by Rolf Harris > [It's important to seize the moment. If there's something you want to say, don't put it off, because you might miss your chance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rolf-harris/it-s-important-to-seize-the-moment-if-there-s-something-you-want-to/) [Rolf Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rolf-harris/) > [For sheer creativity and totality of involvement, 'Rolf's Cartoon Club' with HTV in Bristol was an amazing show to work on, but I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rolf-harris/for-sheer-creativity-and-totality-of-involvement-rolf-s-cartoon-club/) [Rolf Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rolf-harris/) > [People can see you on TV sloshing paint around with big four-inch brushes, and I learned to talk to camera in a friendly voice,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rolf-harris/people-can-see-you-on-tv-sloshing-paint-around-with-big-four-inch/) [Rolf Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rolf-harris/) > [People say 'Are you going to retire?' To me, that sort of equates with lying down and dying. When you're doing something you love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rolf-harris/people-say-are-you-going-to-retire-to-me-that-sort-of-equates-with/) [Rolf Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rolf-harris/) > [Bob Marley - yeah, I've always loved his stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rolf-harris/bob-marley-yeah-i-ve-always-loved-his-stuff/) [Rolf Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rolf-harris/) > [I love the word 'fantastic'. It represents how I always feel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rolf-harris/i-love-the-word-fantastic-it-represents-how-i-always-feel/) [Rolf Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rolf-harris/) > [When I draw my caricature self-portrait, I always do a huge smile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rolf-harris/when-i-draw-my-caricature-self-portrait-i-always-do-a-huge-smile/) [Rolf Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rolf-harris/) > [Try and spread a lot of love and affection around the world. The most important thing is not to 'con' the public. Be real.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rolf-harris/try-and-spread-a-lot-of-love-and-affection-around-the-world-the-most/) [Rolf Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rolf-harris/) > [I draw the line at filth and crude language. It seems to be an excuse for not being funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rolf-harris/i-draw-the-line-at-filth-and-crude-language-it-seems-to-be-an-excuse/) [Rolf Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rolf-harris/) > [As I walked up the imposing steps of the Royal Academy, I came fact to face with Alwen Hughes. She looked just as stunning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rolf-harris/as-i-walked-up-the-imposing-steps-of-the-royal-academy-i-came-fact-to/) [Rolf Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rolf-harris/) > [I regard myself as being enormously lucky to have been accepted by the British public in so many areas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rolf-harris/i-regard-myself-as-being-enormously-lucky-to-have-been-accepted-by/) [Rolf Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rolf-harris/) > [Prison is no hardship, really. I'm in the art room as an assistant to the tutor, and basically, I'm doing what I like.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rolf-harris/prison-is-no-hardship-really-i-m-in-the-art-room-as-an-assistant-to/) [Rolf Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rolf-harris/) > [My approach to painting doesn't involve any heavy thinking about how am I going to present this, what am I going to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rolf-harris/my-approach-to-painting-doesn-t-involve-any-heavy-thinking-about-how/) [Rolf Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rolf-harris/) > [If you turn a smiling face on the world, you've got a chance of finishing up a good-looking old person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rolf-harris/if-you-turn-a-smiling-face-on-the-world-you-ve-got-a-chance-of/) [Rolf Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rolf-harris/) > [The Avalanches was a great dance track, I thought, but I always feel a little bit let down when there are just two lines…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rolf-harris/the-avalanches-was-a-great-dance-track-i-thought-but-i-always-feel-a/) [Rolf Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rolf-harris/) [Explore all 30 Rolf Harris quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rolf-harris/) ## More Alive quotes > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I feel very grateful to be alive and well enough to make music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-ant/i-feel-very-grateful-to-be-alive-and-well-enough-to-make-music/) [Adam Ant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-ant/) > [I don't crave applause. I'm not one of those guys who comes alive on stage. I'm much more alive at home, I think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bowie/i-don-t-crave-applause-i-m-not-one-of-those-guys-who-comes-alive-on/) [David Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bowie/) > [We must master our egoism, and through this mastery, step outside ourselves and educate ourselves in giving. Fasting requires that we rediscover all that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/we-must-master-our-egoism-and-through-this-mastery-step-outside/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [I can't say that there are 'things' that make me come alive. There are thoughts that make me come alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/i-can-t-say-that-there-are-things-that-make-me-come-alive-there-are/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [We're like the wicked witch. We promise gingerbread, then eat the little brats alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/we-re-like-the-wicked-witch-we-promise-gingerbread-then-eat-the/) [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) > [If Jovan Belcher didn't possess a gun, he and Kasandra Perkins would both be alive today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-costas/if-jovan-belcher-didn-t-possess-a-gun-he-and-kasandra-perkins-would/) [Bob Costas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-costas/) > [Peace is an ongoing process. It begins with the first step and it does not end. We, all of us alive today, are the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-krieger/peace-is-an-ongoing-process-it-begins-with-the-first-step-and-it-does/) [David Krieger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-krieger/) > [I think adoption becomes complicated whenever the biological parents are alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-haven/i-think-adoption-becomes-complicated-whenever-the-biological-parents/) [James Haven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-haven/) > [The pain of love is the pain of being alive. It is a perpetual wound.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-duffy/the-pain-of-love-is-the-pain-of-being-alive-it-is-a-perpetual-wound/) [Maureen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-duffy/) > [I have tried to resign myself, and to console myself; and that, I hope, I may have done imperfectly; but what I cannot firmly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-have-tried-to-resign-myself-and-to-console-myself-and-that-i-hope-i/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [If Melanchthon were alive today, he might not weep because of controversies that surround the Lord's Supper, but he might well sorrow because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erwin-w-lutzer/if-melanchthon-were-alive-today-he-might-not-weep-because-of/) [Erwin W. Lutzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erwin-w-lutzer/) > [If you’re alive, don’t move, if you’re dead, don’t worry about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/if-you-re-alive-don-t-move-if-you-re-dead-don-t-worry-about-it/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [Here Greek and Roman find themselves alive along these crowded shelves; and Shakespeare treads again his stage, and Chaucer paints anew his age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/here-greek-and-roman-find-themselves-alive-along-these-crowded/) [John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/) > [You're alive!" Fezzik cried. The man in black sat immobile, like a ventriloquist's dummy, just his mouth moving. "That is perhaps the most childishly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-goldman/you-re-alive-fezzik-cried-the-man-in-black-sat-immobile-like-a/) [William Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-goldman/) [Browse all 7,282 Alive quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If I could go back in time, I'd return to when my parents were alive and appreciate them more than I did when I was growing up.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Rolf Harris" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rolf-harris/if-i-could-go-back-in-time-i-d-return-to-when-my-parents-were-alive/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Alive" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rolf-harris/if-i-could-go-back-in-time-i-d-return-to-when-my-parents-were-alive/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d8/rolf-harris-20816_alive_if-i-could-go-back-in-time-i-d-return-to_973062.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d8/rolf-harris-20816_alive_if-i-could-go-back-in-time-i-d-return-to_973062.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d8/rolf-harris-20816_alive_if-i-could-go-back-in-time-i-d-return-to_973062.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If I could go back in time, I'd return to when my parents were alive and appreciate them more than I did…” — Rolf Harris", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Rolf Harris", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rolf-harris/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If I could go back in...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rolf-harris/if-i-could-go-back-in-time-i-d-return-to-when-my-parents-were-alive/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rolf-harris/if-i-could-go-back-in-time-i-d-return-to-when-my-parents-were-alive/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```