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Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Gotta Love That Woman

I started reading Erma Bombeck shortly after I got married to my first husband. The woman had a gift. A gift of making each and every word count...she made people laugh! She made me roar with laughter!! Can you imagine having a couple of drinks with her....what a riot! If you have never had the chance to pick up one of her books, do so....they've got them at your local library and at every Borders store I've ever been in. Read her. She is damn good!!

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, and what we are doing each day to promote ourselves mentally, physically, and emotionally. I hope you have a blessed day .

12 comments:

Flowerpot said...

This is so true - many thanks for sharing that.

the dragonfly said...

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

I like this. My house is not "immaculate" like those of some of my friends...but that shouldn't stop me from opening my home!

Thanks for sharing.

Brenda said...

I grew up with Erma Bombeck too, she was quite a lady! Wonderful post!

Sandy said...

I also grew up with Erma and love her. Somewhere else, she also said that she would never have eaten a banana that was overripe just so it wouldn't go to waste! Sometimes we just have to quit being everyone's caretaker/good example/etc. Thanks for reminding me of this.

Kristi B said...

This is awesome. Thank you for posting it. I need to read it regularly and remind myself to SLOW DOWN.
Thanks!

Jen said...

Thank you,t hank you thank you for this post today!

laurie said...

ah, those are poignant. i am glad i already eat popcorn in the living room. i'm one up on myself.

Kellan said...

I love Irma Bombeck too. I have many of her books and often pull one out to read back through it. I love this of hers that you posted - I could say each one of those things about my own life - thanks for sharing this with us! Take care.

Anonymous said...

Lots of good advice there. Too bad we don't always listen to our own advice sometimes.

fiwa said...

I've seen that letter before, but it still makes me cry. She was hilarious wasn't she?

Anonymous said...

I love this message, and we need to think of it more before we here a diagnosis. Thanks for sharing her words and your thoughts.

Anonymous said...

I have this up on my bulletin board and read it quite often. LOVE Erma. And I don't know about you, but since I turned 40 (soon to be 44) I am finding I'm living more an 'Erma's' life. Why? Because the older we get the more we know what's really important in life!