IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck

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!!!

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!

A Cup of Coffee

A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee..You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up, She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose. Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners.. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.

Turning to her daughter, she asked,

'Tell me what you see..'

'Carrots, eggs, and coffee,' she replied.

Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft.

The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma.

The daughter then asked, 'What does it mean, mother?'

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently.

The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak

The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.

The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.



'Which are you?' she asked her daughter. 'When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

Think of this: Which am I?

Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate yourself to another level?

How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.? You can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so at the end, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.

May we all be COFFEE!!!!!!!

Mosaics and Memories

My children recently had fun playing with some of my stained glass project scraps.

We made use of the scraps by decorating a wooden cross into a mosaic.

They love gluing and making patterns and playing with shapes no matter what age they are.



Even though I am packing and trying to sort through things, I am still busy stitching to "calm" my inner nerves on our newest adventure. Here is my latest embroidery piece.


Also, our family is going through emotions right now in having to give our poodle, "Sweetie" to a new home. We can not take him with us over 1800 miles and then be renting a place where it is an additional $50 per month in rent to have him. My Avery Zefram, age 9, is most affected by this. So I have taken pictures to preserve memories.

Dragon in the Making

Wynston, my 11 year old has been busy again putting together wooden puzzles. He is in love with making these creations and his development of patience is coming along nicely.

The dragon is beautiful and he and I are trying to decide on what colors to add.

Also, he put together this sweet wooden butterfly puzzle for me per my request. He has also decided these would be lovely to send to his two aunts for Christmas.

We are in the process of packing and moving from Nashville, TN to Great Falls, MT by April 1st. The time is flying by so quick. I have been stressed over getting a place rented there and made great strides today in finding something. Now for the application process. Which leads me to push on getting our house rented out here in Nashville.

I am going to miss my home and yard. I wish we could have stayed to see the blooming pear trees in the front yard put on their blooms the first two weeks in the spring.

Wynston has been battling a very bad cold for a week now, but is busy working on a detailed wooden battle tank puzzle -- I think a ship in coming up soon!

Transcend Our Limitations

From HERNASHVILLE.COM
By Kaki Friskics-Warren

Each day, we have the opportunity to transcend our limitations and to be God's presence in the world. You can share your spirit through daily activities, but if you're looking for new ways to grow, visit these local websites for guidance:



hon.org -- Hands on Nashville's website lists area volunteer opportunities for all ages and interests



givingmatters.com -- The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee offers options to support are nonprofits



coolpeoplecare.org -- Find daily opportunities for "Five Minutes of Caring" (You can change the city on this site to fit your location)