If I Had my Life to Live Over

Condolence & Sympathy
Words of Inspiration - If I had My Life to Live Over

Journey of Hearts

A Healing Place in CyberSpace^TM

We Remember Erma Bombeck 1936-1996

As were many of us, I remember reading Erma Bombeck's editorials growing up. They were often poignant, funny, but mostly true observations of daily life and its struggles, which frequently brought a smile. This editorial was forwarded to me recently, and I felt to be a fitting tribute and something we all could take to heart. These words really help put things into perspective, to remind us what we often seem to forget, to remember what is important in life and what isn't. That life is very short, and time with loved ones precious.

If I had My Life to Live Over by Erma Bombeck 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 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.

Remember to seize every minute... look at it and really see it... live it... but most of all...never give it back!

About the Author

Erma Bombeck was a nationally syndicated humor columnist for more than 32 years. With her gift of humor she wrote of what she knew, being a frazzled housewife and mother in the suburbs. Her books and columns poked fun at real life and gave a voice to suburban housewives everywhere. Much of her work, however, was enjoyed as clipped newspaper columns, sent to a friend or relative, or taped on refrigerators across America. You would imagine her stories would spread like wildfire on e-mail lists, if she was still writing today.
She died April 22, 1996 at the age of 69, from complications following a kidney transplant. She had Polycystic kidney disease, the most common life-threatening genetic disease in the United States.

For Information on Kidney Disease Pleace visit the following Websites:

Polycystic Kidney Research Foundation (816) 931-2600 (800) PKD-CURE

4901 Main Street, Suite 200, Kansas City, Missouri 64112-2634

The purpose of the PKRF is to bridge the gap between ignorance and knowledge about PKD by promoting programs of research and fostering awareness among medical professionals, corporations, foundations and the general public. This organization provides the only regular source of PKD information and the only complete forum for patient education.

http://www.pkdcure.org/index.html

National Kidney Foundation 1-800-622-9010

30 East 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016.

The National Kidney Foundation's mission is to prevent kidney and urinary tract diseases, improve the health and well-being of individuals affected by these diseases, and increase the availability of all organs for transplantation.

http://www.kidney.org

American Association of Kidney Patients (800) 749-2257

100 South Ashley Drive, Suite 280 Tampa, Florida 33602

American Association of Kidney Patients , a non-profit, membership-based, national voluntary health organization providing education, support and advocacy services to kidney patients and their families.

http://www.aakp.org/aakpteam.html

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease

http://www.niddk.nih.gov/

Available from the NIDDK: Fact sheets, brochures, newsletters, easy-to-read publications, health education campaign materials, and lists of resource organizations for the following diseases: Diabetes, Digestive Diseases, Endocrine and Metabolic, Hematological Diseases, Kidney Diseases, Nutrition and Obesity and Urologic Diseases.

http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/kidney/kidney.htm

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