posted on October 1, 2001 06:06:55 PM new
To all the awesome women out there, 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.
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 never have insisted the car windows be rolled up
on a summer day because of my hair.
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, and a beautiful Women's Month.
Age 3: She looks at herself and sees a Queen.
Age 8: She looks at herself and sees Cinderella.
Age 15: She looks at herself and sees an Ugly Sister
(Mum I can't go to school looking like this!)
Age 20: She looks at herself and sees "too fat/too thin,
too short/too tall, too straight/too curly"- but decides she's going out
anyway.
Age 30: She looks at herself and sees "too fat/too thin,
too short/too tall, too straight/too curly" - but decides she doesn't have
time to fix it, so she's going out anyway.
Age 40: She looks at herself and sees "too fat/too thin,
too short/too tall, too straight/too curly" - but says, "At least, I
am"clean" and goes out anyway.
Age 50: She looks at herself and sees "I am" and goes
wherever she wants to go.
Age 60: She looks at herself and reminds herself of all
the people who can't even see themselves in the mirror anymore. Goes out and
conquers the world.
Age 70: She looks at herself & sees wisdom, laughter and ability, goes out
and enjoys life.
Age 80: Doesn't bother to look. Just puts on a purple
hat and goes out to have fun with the world.
Send this on to all the women you are grateful to have
as friends. Maybe we should all grab that purple hat earlier.
-----------------------------------
After reading this, I changed my mind about scooping up the first fall leaves my daughters brought in for me tonight and put on my desk. Now I'm going to put them in a nice bowl and keep them on my desk for awhile....
Mae West