In Honor of Erma Bombeck,and another Erma I loved

IN honor of women's history month and in memory of Erma Bombeck who lost her fight with cancer.

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 t he 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.

HAVE A GREAT DAY....LIFE IS NOT A REHEARSAL!!!

There is another Erma that is near and dear to me, she was my Grandmothers' sister, but to me she was always Grandma Erma-- In all my memories of her she has gray hair and a warm welcoming smile-- she smoked alot and so she had wrinkles on her face, but that never stopped her from smiling and giving a hug-- Her voice was kinda like the smoking sisters on The Simpsons, but the things she said were always nice. She certainly had her own way of looking at life, but she seemed to take each moment for what it was. Her favorite thing to collect was Owls-- you really can't imagine how many she had--! Erma had a too short of Life, but she filled every second of it- till the very end.~ I miss her much