Make Each Day Count

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER: 

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 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. 

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" 
and 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.

Erma Bombeck

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Carl Valente