There Are No Do-Overs

Continuing on the old “sayings” Kristin has found while going through old papers….

I found this one titled “If I Had My Life To Live Over.” Maybe not the best subject to start out with this fine morning, but I found the sayings to be very convicting and challenging. I don’t reflect on this moment often, but I just thought I would share with you a little bit of how death became a reality for me when I found out about my heart. I remember the first night after I found out I had a rare heart condition, I was laying in bed with tears streaming down my face and wondering what’s next? I remember sitting in the doctor’s office later when they were talking about the risks of my open heart surgery. That was the first realization (that I can remember) that I could possibly die from this all. I honestly didn’t think I was, but it was a reality. It was more of a fleeting thought, but still there. Then came surgery day. I remember talking with all the people in the operating room, joking around and laughing because I didn’t necessarily fit too well on the cold, hard operating table b/c I was tall. Then the anesthesia guy said you are going to be under in 10, 9, 8…he started to count down. At that moment, I had a brief thought of, “will I see God today? Is this my last moment of life on earth?” Then I went under. Obviously I survived :). I say all that because when I read things like this below, it just hits me a little more. Not that I contemplate death, I do realize that life is fragile and how I live my life from day to day DOES matter because we never know when it will be our last.

So on this BRIGHT and CHEERY morning, I hope I didn’t dampen your mood too much…but I hope this just makes you think about your day to day activities and how they reflect who and what you devote your time to.

If I Had My Life To Live Over
By Erma Bombeck

I would have talked less and listened more.

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 a light fire in the fireplace.

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

I would have never 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 children and not worried about grass stains.

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

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I’d have cherished every moment realizing that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

There would have been more “I love you’s” and more I’m sorry’s.”