IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet wasstained and the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worriedmuch less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in thefireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble abouthis youth.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summerday because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before itmelted in storage.

I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried aboutgrass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television andmore while watching life.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by myhusband.

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending theearth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day. Iwould never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn'tshow soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherishedevery moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the onlychance 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 yous" more "I'm sorrys"...butmostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at itand really see it... live it...and never give it back.