Over the last couple of years, the photos of me when I was a kid... well, they've started to give me a little pang or something - not unhappiness, exactly, but some kind of quiet, deep regret... I keep wanting to apologize to the little guy: I'm sorry, I've let you down. I was the person who was supposed to look after you, but I blew it: I made wrong decisions at bad times, and I turned you into me.
In recent years, the author reflects on childhood photographs that evoke a sense of regret. Rather than unhappiness, these images stir a deep, emotional response, suggesting that the passage of time has led to a realization of lost potential. There is a feeling of connection to the younger self, underscoring the bittersweet nature of nostalgia.
The narrator expresses a desire to apologize to their younger self, acknowledging a failure to fulfill the protective role they should have embodied. This sentiment highlights the importance of personal growth and the recognition of past mistakes, revealing a struggle with identity shaped by choices made over the years.
