My Hero, Erma Bombeck

My tribute to one of my favorite authors, ERMA BOMBECK. I love her sense of humor about being a wife and mother. I remember reading once about how she was untying her son's wet shoes laces with her teeth when she realized that the child had wet his pants, and had not been running through puddles. IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck

(written after she found out she was dying from cancer).

• 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!!!

There, isn't she brilliant! In her book "Adventures in Mommying" she wrote, "Being a mom is one adventure after another. You never can tell what new challenges each day will bring, like removing peanut butter from the dog’s fur, finding the time to take a shower, or coming up with something for dinner that everyone will actually eat." The reason why I love Erma is because I would have written that line myself, if I had only had the time!!

Hail to you, Erma!!!