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 was 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,
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 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.
- by Erma Bombeck.