Thoughts for Thursday - Erma Bombeck Style

I love Erma Bombeck.  In case you've never heard of her, she was an American humorist who was quite the hit for her newspaper column that spoke to suburban home life from the mid-1960s until the late 1990s.  The column was like her own little blog before computers.

Erma Bombeck

My top goal this year was to start living my life more intentionally.  I don't want days (or weeks) to slip by and not be able to even remember anything I had gotten accomplished.  It sounds so cliche -- but the time we have here on this earth really is short and we should all try to make the most of it.

So, I want to share this little poem by Erma Bombeck.  I try to get it out at least once a year and dust it off.  Even if you do just one thing on her list for one day, I believe it will make your life a little bit better.  Enjoy!

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.

Enjoy more Thoughts for Thursday at

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