Regrets…

This poem was written by Belinda Emmett after she found out that she was dying from cancer…

If I had my life over

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 a day…

I would have burned
the pink candle
sculpted into 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 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 others…

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…

So what if you were in her shoes? Are there things that you would wish you had done…or not done? Shouldn’t you do something about it…while you still can?

(Image source unknown)

As for me, I believe the words of Paul Anka’s “My Way” say it all…..”Regrets, I’ve had a few…but then again, too few to mention…..Yes, there were times, Im sure you knew when I bit off more than I could chew. But through it all, when there was doubt, I ate it up and spit it out. I faced it all and I stood tall and did it…..my way.”