• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Nancy's List

No one will ever go through cancer alone

  • My Story
  • Nancy’s List
  • Nancy’s Club
  • Financial Resources
  • Diagnosis Support
  • Specific Population Support
  • Camps for Kids
  • Retreats
  • Making Wishes Come True
  • I Am With You: Love Letters to Cancer Patients
  • Stories of Gratitude
  • Stories of Hope
  • Contact Nancy
  • Please Donate …
  • Directory of Supportive Practitioners and Healing Centers
  • Introduction to Integrative Cancer Care
  • CancerChoices

If I Had My Life to Live Over by Emma Bombeck

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 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.

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.

November 17, 2017 Filed Under: Stories of Hope Tagged With: Erma Bombeck

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Footer

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Contact NANCY

Join Our Mailing List

Copyright © 2026 Nancy's List

Disclaimer: These resources are regularly reviewed to ensure that links work correctly and the resources listed continue to be helpful to our visitors. If you find that a link isn't working or information is incorrect, or if you would like to have your own organization listed here, please contact Nancy.