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IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck
(written after she found out she was dying from cancer.)
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending
the earth
would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would have burned the pink candle
sculpted like a rose before it melted
in storage.
I would have talked less and listened more.
I would
have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was
stained, or the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the
popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much
less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his
youth.
I would have shared more of the
responsibility carried by my husband.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day
because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.
I would
have cried and laughed less while watching television and more
while watching life.
I would never have bought
anything just because it was practical, wouldn't
show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing
away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every
moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was
the only
chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said,
"Later. Now
go get washed up for dinner." There would have been more "I love you's."
More "I'm sorry's."
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look
at it and really see it ... live it .and never
give it back. Stop sweating
the small stuff.
Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing
what.
Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love
us.
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