|
(February
21,
1927
–
April
22,
1996)
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
t
he
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"
and
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.
I
hope
you
have
a
blessed
day.
|
