I wasn't sure just where to post this, but figured the world around us could include the "human" world.

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 my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

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. (remember, she was VERY ill!)

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.

That was beautiful, June. I used to read her books a long, long time ago. Perhaps I should pick one up again and pay attention this time!

I have one of her books. She really was very funny. It sure is a reminder for us to "take time to smell the roses."

I have several of her books. I had a couple, but in the past few years I have been buying more of them. She had a way of looking at the humor of housework and raising children that all of us need to have.

From what I have heard and read, she was very warm and loving in person, and never let her star status be a big factor in her life.

Erma Bombeck is one of the writers I cite in the...well, can't quite call it a book yet...but she's one of the smartest most human woman I ever read as a kid.

I do love Miss Manners too...
Anyone who can find such a great way to write about today's society is number one in my book.
I loved her "E mail is like a postcard, it's not polite to read someone else's postcard but...."

What I loved about Erma is that she didn't degrade the work of a woman in the household..I mean, some women who write about normal life have a kind of Phyllis Diller approach but she didn't. I think she gave it value.

As I myself wrote about the French home, I found myself thinking of her too. I tried to find things like she did, that women all over the world would relate to...neighbors borrowing sugar, dogs, cats, kids, PTA meetings, household tasks that never end...deeper things.

I couldn't even read this original thread without feeling sad to see her go...she was like family for me!