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 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 family and loved ones.
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.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, “Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.”
I would have taken better care of my health.
I would not have taken time for granted or constantly procrastinated.
I would have gone through whatever discomfort was needed to change my bad habits.
I would not have given in to every whim my body craved.
I would have questioned mental negativity instead of giving into it and feeling like a loser and a victim.
I would have placed my health and spiritual growth as the number one priority in my life.
I would have rejected ‘society’s’ definition of what is beautiful and would have loved and accepted myself
as I am.
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.
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In memory of Erma Bombeck who lost her fight with cancer. “Be courageous and bold. When you
look back on your life, you’ll regret the things you didn’t do more than the ones you did.”
Rob
