IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER
>>> > > > > >>                          by Erma Bombeck
>>> > > > > >>
>>> > > > > >>             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 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 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 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.
>>> > > > > >>
>>> > > > > >>            Instead of wishing away nine months
>>> > > > > >>            of pregnancy, I'd have
>>> > > > > >>            cherished every moment realizing
>>> > > > > >>            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"
>>> > > > > >>             and 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.
>>> > > > > >>
>>> > > > > >>           ~~ In honor of women's history month
>>> > > > > >>            and in memory of Erma Bombeck
>>> > > > > >>            who lost her fight with cancer.
>>> > > > > >>
>>> > > > > >>           Here is an angel sent to watch over you ..
>>> > > > > >>
>>> > > > > >> > >>                  * . * (\ *** /) *
>>> > > > > >> > >>                    * * ( \(_)/ ) *  *
>>> > > > > >> > >>                     *   (_/ \_) . *
>>> > > > > >> > >>                      *   /___\ * . *