Do Over

I was listening to a radio broadcast this morning and it was pretty insightful. The speaker concluded with a column by Erma Bombeck and I quickly went to the computer to look it up so I could reflect upon it. When asked if she could do her life over, would she do it differently, Erma first responded, "No." But, then, like all sensible women, she changed her mind! Here's what she wrote:

If I Had My Life To Live Over
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 sculped 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 shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband
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 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 yous"...more "I'm sorrys"
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.
-- Erma Bombeck



How fitting, then, that on a day that I was reflecting about my own life and how it's probably half over - if I live to the average age of most Americans - that there was a death in our own household....yes, I regret to inform you that Knick Knack died today. He was born January 19 of this year and died only 4 short months later. Moriah was saddened, but she and Brooke set out quickly to lay him in peace. A short memorial service was performed and he was buried peacefully under the cherry tree.


On another completely different note, we attended the 5th grade band/orchestra concert tonight where the 10-11 year olds performed their last concert of the year. In just seven short years, all these families and parents in the audience will be attending commencement. What a thought. How much more these kids have to learn. How much more we parents have to learn! So little time. Seizing the moment begins now.