If I had my Life to Live Over Again

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 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 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 children 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."
...But mostly, given another shot at life,
I would sieze 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 too short to let it pass you by.
We only have one shot at this
and then it's gone.
I hope you all have a blessed day.

by Erma Bombeck
when she found out she had cancer