IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck
(before she passed away)





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 burned the pink candle
sculpted 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 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.



Tina's infancy | Tina's adolescence "SPECIAL" | Tina's Young Adulthood (looking for love) | Tina's search begins | Tina and Ginger's Reunion | Struggles in our relationship | Tina's working on healing | Healthy Mother Daughter Relationship |

Birthmother Ginger's Story | Ginger's Childhood | Ginger at the Group and Foster Homes | Rock-a-bye-bye-baby | Home for UnWed Mothers | Empty Arms - Empty Soul | Ginger's Empty Cradle | Ginger's Recovery | Hello? I am looking for my mother. | Getting to know you | The Seperation | Real Love Never Dies |






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