Sunday, November 11, 2007

If I Had My Life to Live Over by Erma Bombeck.

I took a poetry class at Berkely College/ New York and our first assignment was to pick a poem that we should read infront of the class. One of the girls in my class chose this poem that this girl had written when she found out she was dying in cancer. It moved me to tears. Please take time to read and reflect.

If I Had My Life to Live Over

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.


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.


* * *

2 comments:

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