By Erma Bombeck

[Guest guest]

Written by Erma Bombeck at her learning

of her terminal cancer...

                                   Erma's Angel

                           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 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 realizing

                        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.

                    Here is an angel sent to watch over you...

                                   * (\ *** /) *

                                  ** ( \(_)/ ) **

                                    * (_/ \_) *

                                   ** /___\ **

                       Pass this on to five people that you

                         want watched over. If you don't

                       know five people to pass this on to,

                              one will do just fine.