Mother's Day

If I Had My Life To Live Over
by Erma Bombeck

The following was written by the late Erma Bombeck
after she found out she had a fatal disease.


If I had my life to live over, 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 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 shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

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.

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 sorrys" ...

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.


Ever since I can remember, I've hated mother's and father's day. My mom and dad were taken from me way too soon and these days just seemed to bring out the sadness and melancholy in me.
Don't get me wrong, I'm very thankful to be a mother and love my children fiercely! God has blessed our lives incredibly through our children. He even allowed John Paul to be born on the anniversary of my father's death...now if that doesn't say "get over it and heal already" I don't know what does! But still, I haven't ever felt like mother's day was for me, it was always for her...my beautiful angel in Heaven.
Bobbie Jo was a beautiful, smart, funny, creative, working mother that loved and gave everything for her family. Everyone loved her. Everyone. Especially me.
I never got to know her (she was taken away from us when I was three.) I am really saddened that she never got to know my boys. Oh how she would have loved them!!! I grew into a young woman without her, married without her, birthed my babies without her, learned to be a mother without her...
I've missed her everyday of my life.
Eternal rest, grant unto her, O Lord, and may Perpetual Light always shine upon her.