May 5, 2009

Maybe We Should Have Grabbed That Purple Hat Earlier

We are rapidly approaching Mothers Day. Erma Bombeck left some thoughts written after she found out she was dying of cancer, which I want to leave for you today.

"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 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.

"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.

"Maybe we should all grab that purple hat earlier."

4 comments:

Elaine said...

I always enjoyed Erma Bombeck's columns. She really makes some good points in this piece. We put so many things off because we don't have time, but you never know when you will be out of time. There is a lot to be said for the purple hat. We need to give ourselves permission to do the things we enjoy most and spend more time with the people we love. Thanks for sharing Erma's thoughts.

Montanagirl said...

Thanks for sharing those thoughts. Love the purple hat. We as humans, do have the habit of putting things off. However, I did always take time to read to my daughter, and take her to parks, and walk (or run) beside her when she rode her Hotwheels. She has since thanked me for doing those things and for being such a good Mom. It made me feel wonderful, but really, no thanks were necessary, and I'm glad I didn't put her or those things off.

Leedra said...

Wonderful post. Great thoughts, and the purple hat photo is so pretty.

And the word verification is dyingson....goes with your post, sorta.

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Faye said...

Isn't this the truth! I need to copy and paste this to my fridge!