I really love this letter from Erma Bombeck that she wrote to her readers shortly before her death from cancer. Each time I read it over the years, it means more and more to me. We worry so much about meeting other people's expectations in life especially when we are losing our ability to do so. I've given up trying to keep the world cleaner and savor the people in my life more. But as I read this again, I can see I still have a long way to go in living life to the fullest.
----
IF I HAD MY
LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck
(written after
she found out she was dying from cancer).
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 have
shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
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 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
,
a nd what we are
doing each day to promote ourselves mentally, physically, emotionally.
I
hope you have a blessed day.
Great post. I love Erma!
Hi Deanna- What a wonderful letter. I Think its something I should read every morning when i wake up. Thank you for sharing it with us.
How are you feeling now?
Take care
Thank you Deanna, I enjoyed it very much.Deanna, what a meaningful post. I always loved Erma. She said things just the right way to make us smile and say, "Oh Yeah, she's exactly right!"
I'm going to print it and keep it by my bed, to read often. She had a wonderful, irreverent sense of humor about things with which we could all identify.
I have several clippings of her columns around here somewhere. I'll have to dig them out. I only cut out the ones that meant something special to me.
You are right...this one is very meaningful to those of us who no longer have the ability to physically do the things that we once thought were so important.
Take care, Deanna.
Hugs,
Nini
I love Erma. Thank you for posting that!Thanks Deanna. I needed that.Deanna, this has always been one of my favorite Bombeck writings. She was really special. I had not read this for a long time, so thanks for the reminder and advice that we all should follow.
Thanks for posting the letter, she always had such a special way with words...love it!
Peace & Love...Neasy