IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER

<>Ms Merci passed at 10am yesterday morning...  I could hear the tears that clogged Ben and Jamie's throats when I talked to them.  They say they are fine... grateful that their grandma's earthly struggles are done... but they will miss her...  I know how they feel... Its hard to let go... even when you know your loved one is hurting really bad...  I told them to take care of themselves because that is what their grandma would want for them...  So this is my goodbye to Ms Merci.  I am not terribly close to Ms Merci but I am sad for her family members of whom I love very much and through them I loved her...   A friend on loving arms shared this and I wanted to share it with yall...        IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck               (Written after she found out she was dying from cancer).        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'; 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.  Let's think about what God HAS blessed us with, and what we are doing each  day to promote ourselves mentally, physically, and emotionally. I hope you  have a blessed day.      If you want to copy and send this on to all the women you are grateful to have as  friends.     Friends are quiet angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble  remembering how to fly.