If I had my life to live over...

By Erma Bombeck

If I Had My Life to Live Over...

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.

I would have eaten popcorn in the good living room and worried less about dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken time to listen to my grandfather ramble on 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 or sprayed.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

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 have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

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 never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never had said, "later. Now go wash up for dinner."

There would have been more "I love yous"... more "I'm sorrys"... 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.

This has been hanging on the side of my fridge for probably about a year following a relief society lesson. I liked it so much I hung it up, then it got covered over time by coupons, pictures Scout drew of aliens, and dentist magnets. I just removed everything from my fridge to clean and saw and read it again and loved it again.

Thought I would share.

ps, I have a leg up on Erma-- I do eat popcorn in the good living room. Well, I don't have a "good" living room, just the one.