If I had my life to live over

[Erudite]

IN honor of women's history month and in memory of Erma Bombeck who lost her fight with cancer.

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.

[Erudite]

I watched the movie Tuesdays with Morrie the other day and it says some of these same kinds of things. I think it is such a good reminder to "be happy in the now", to see beauty and wonder in what is going on right now. Erma Bombeck has it right. So today, I'm going to make the effort to be of good cheer in each moment.

What will you do?

[natickgirl]

Great post. I need to reminded frequently not to sweat the small stuff. I get worked up over the dumbest things.

I LOVED the book "Tuesdays with Morrie."

[Dia Minha]

Thanks E, I really needed this tonight. I was just going through a downslide. Very typical for me after a big event. I was feeling a little down and wishing that I had done some things different. It all start rolling into the "I'm such a bad mother. Why can't I get this right? Why can't I be more like ________?", speech.

I really appreciate these thoughts. I'm going to go read to my boys now.

[5ft Diva]

I can't believe you posted this, E. I was totally going to post this very question (if I had my life to live over) the other day because I had been mulling it over in my mind and couldn't let it go. Apparently this is something that needs my attention as it's shown up twice now.

As far as tonight - I think I'll clean my house in the evenings so that I have more time during the day to play w/ my kids.

So....if I had my life to live over. I think if I changed anything it would be to spend less money on 'things' so that I could spend more money on monthly trips and activities for my family. That would be 12 activities that we would look forward to every year. Yeah, yeah, I know - this is something I can do now. I'm just thinking I would have loved to have started this tradition w/ my older boys. Well, as they say, it's never too late.

Great topic!

[Erudite]

I had an odd thought cross my mind when I read your post, 5D. I could see you picking things up in your house, after everyone was in bed but not asleep, and you were singing. It seemed marvelously peaceful. I used to do sing kids to sleep and try to sing loud enough that the others could hear and feel the peace in me as I sang, but not so loud that the child in my arms was bugged. It worked sometimes, I think. For a second, with that picture in my head, I could see your little ones quietly listening and feeling everything was good. Just a thought for you.

Cleaning up in the evening has been one of my goals too, but except for getting the kitchen cleaned up after dinner, I don't do that much. I need to work harder on it, so that each day is more relaxed and peaceful overall.

[5ft Diva]

Originally Posted by Erudite

I had an odd thought cross my mind when I read your post, 5D. I could see you picking things up in your house, after everyone was in bed but not asleep, and you were singing. It seemed marvelously peaceful. I used to do sing kids to sleep and try to sing loud enough that the others could hear and feel the peace in me as I sang, but not so loud that the child in my arms was bugged. It worked sometimes, I think. For a second, with that picture in my head, I could see your little ones quietly listening and feeling everything was good. Just a thought for you.

Cleaning up in the evening has been one of my goals too, but except for getting the kitchen cleaned up after dinner, I don't do that much. I need to work harder on it, so that each day is more relaxed and peaceful overall.

Just be like me and don't make dinner - then there's nothing to clean up. I'm just kidding.

If there's any singing going on it's to my peaceful CD that I play when I put my kids to bed. I don't do it all the time, but as often as I remember as I do know they love to listen to it while they drift off to sleep. Thanks for the thought. It does sound marvelously peaceful.