What Would Erma Do?

In Honor of Erma - a hero from my youth, and of Race for the Cure (for Breast Cancer) Month. Life wouldn't be bad if all lived life as Erma did. She took what life gave her and she made it enough.

This poem was written by Erma after she found out she was dying of cancer.

Amen, Erma. I look forward to meeting you someday and thanking you in person!


IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck

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.