Posted by Phil (205.188.198.181) on January 09, 2000 at 20:01:06:
IF I HAD LIFE TO LIVE OVER-by Erma Bombeck
(Written after she found out she was dying from cancer)
credit jimc for having posted this on another forum
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 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 windoes 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 children and not
worried about the 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 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. Let's think about what God
has blessed us with
And what we are doing each day to promote ourselves
mentally, physically, emotionally as well as
spiritually
Life is to short to let it pass you by
We only have one shot at this and then it's gone
In memory of Erma Bombeck who lost her fight with
cancer