If I Had My Life To Live Over

Janet · 10-23-2006, 06:14 AM

I've always loved this by Erma Bombeck....what would you add, if anything?

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.

Kimberley · 10-23-2006, 06:51 AM

Coulda, Shoulda, Wouldas...I need to work on these.

Janet · 10-23-2006, 07:05 AM

You and me both. I think in most of Erma's writing, even though she was trying to use humor in most....she was a very wise woman. I wish I would have had a chance to meet and talk with her...

rivermom · 10-24-2006, 01:14 PM

Time just seems to go so darn fast. Then it's done...

Reading the part about "wishing away pregnancy" is soooo true for me. I loved being pregnant and now it seems like it was forever ago. I want to go back to that time, then the time of their births, then the breast feeding. Oh how I loved to breast feed them.

So often it seems the days are just not that important. Not as much as when I felt so needed being their "Mommy". It's odd. The kids are grown, have lifes of their own, and it's all just so different now.

Oh I've got to STOP reading these kinds of posts today, I am just wayyyy toooo emotional today to handle this stuff. UGH!

2tiredmom · 10-24-2006, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rivermom

Time just seems to go so darn fast. Then it's done...

Reading the part about "wishing away pregnancy" is soooo true for me. I loved being pregnant and now it seems like it was forever ago. I want to go back to that time, then the time of their births, then the breast feeding. Oh how I loved to breast feed them.

So often it seems the days are just not that important. Not as much as when I felt so needed being their "Mommy". It's odd. The kids are grown, have lifes of their own, and it's all just so different now.

Oh I've got to STOP reading these kinds of posts today, I am just wayyyy toooo emotional today to handle this stuff. UGH!

I'm right there too even though I couldn't breast feed mine. My oldest daughter is pregnant and hating every minute of it. I would not have traded it in for anything. Just to feel that tiny life inside oh what a special time.

Mandy · 10-25-2006, 05:24 AM

How very true! I need to work on those for sure!!

RLC12345678 · 10-25-2006, 05:56 AM

Wow! This is very powerful. I copied it and sent it to my family and friends. It definately reminds you to take a step back and cherish the small things.

10-23-2006, 06:14 AM	#1
Janet Moderator Donating 4WT 18K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: INDIANA Posts: 21,624	If I Had My Life To Live Over I've always loved this by Erma Bombeck....what would you add, if anything? 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. __________________ To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. ECCLESIASTES 3:1

10-23-2006, 06:51 AM	#2
Kimberley Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: The Lone Star State Posts: 671	Coulda, Shoulda, Wouldas...I need to work on these. __________________ Kimberley "If you can read this, thank a teacher and since it's in English, thank a soldier"

10-23-2006, 07:05 AM	#3
Janet Moderator Donating 4WT 18K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: INDIANA Posts: 21,624	You and me both. I think in most of Erma's writing, even though she was trying to use humor in most....she was a very wise woman. I wish I would have had a chance to meet and talk with her... __________________ To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. ECCLESIASTES 3:1

10-24-2006, 01:14 PM	#4
rivermom Donating 4WT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Tontitown, Arkansas Posts: 2,475	Time just seems to go so darn fast. Then it's done... Reading the part about "wishing away pregnancy" is soooo true for me. I loved being pregnant and now it seems like it was forever ago. I want to go back to that time, then the time of their births, then the breast feeding. Oh how I loved to breast feed them. So often it seems the days are just not that important. Not as much as when I felt so needed being their "Mommy". It's odd. The kids are grown, have lifes of their own, and it's all just so different now. Oh I've got to STOP reading these kinds of posts today, I am just wayyyy toooo emotional today to handle this stuff. UGH! __________________ ~_/> , /\/\ ,,, Sheryl When I grow up I want to be a horse whisperer!

10-25-2006, 05:24 AM	#6
Mandy Donating 4WT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Who cares! Posts: 4,587	How very true! I need to work on those for sure!! __________________ Many people will walk in and out your life, but only true friends leave footprints!

10-25-2006, 05:56 AM	#7
RLC12345678 4WT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,614	Wow! This is very powerful. I copied it and sent it to my family and friends. It definately reminds you to take a step back and cherish the small things. __________________ Rebecca "To whom much is given, much is expected." ~Luke 12:48

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