I was not even an occasional reader of Erma Bombeck, but there was a list that crossed my desk at work once via email I have never forgotten. It was a piece she wrote after she found out she had cancer. She essentially beat that, but later died due to complications with a kidney transplant.
Her words below remind me to not worry about the little things and enjoy life more.
Her list is why I was able to invite a friend over for brownies this week even though my sink was filled with dirty dishes and my kitchen floor still needed to be mopped.
My day was much better spent visiting with a friend instead of cleaning the way I do (almost) every day.
If I Had My Life To Live Over
by Erma Bombeck
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 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.”. 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.
