thought you all might like this, but long

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 new clothes and not worried about 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. Let's think about what we are doing each day to promote ourselves mentally, physically, emotionally. ?

"I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage." I don't know why, but this has always been the line that gets to me. I remember reading an article a number of years back that talked about the tendency to put things off until ______ happens. It made the point that life doesn't wait until ______, THIS is your marriage, THIS is your children's childhood, THIS is your life. Make of it what you will, it's not waiting to happen, this IS it.

Marie, .....That is so sad!!! If we only had the ability to live everyday like its our last. Have you ever seen the article Erma's husband wrote after she passed? I would love a copy of it. He talks about riding on a roller coaster with her (to symbolize their life together) and at the end of the ride, he looks beside him and she is gone. Thanks for sharing this with us! willby