chaos

 Not all of these words apply to each of us, not even myself,  as we, all of us here, are struggling, hopefully surviving, an illness that has it's own agenda.  Pleaseread below..

Ms. Bombeck is raw and candid.  Thought provoking, inspirational, and wise.  This piece makes me wonder what I might reflect on if confronted with time and a terminal illness.    To wit, I take some of her words to heart and LIVE! as my aim is for no regrets.  And use the damn china.

MANTRA:  I cannot change the past.  I can only move forward.

Thank G-d cancer is not the case although some days - living in the House of Chaos seems like a prolonged and unabating illness such as a cancer that Ms. Bombeck took on..  Living with loved ones who are bipolar and with so many co-morbid illnesses is heart wrenching.  It won't kill me but it is by far the most dangerous and unpredictable ride I have ever been on. 

Motherhood is 24/7, 365 - so is bipolar.

Please take pause in the emotional rollercoaster...

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma 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 children and not worried
about 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, emotionally,
as well as spiritually.

Life is too short to let it pass you by.

We only have one shot at this and then it's gone.
I hope you all have a blessed day.

^{In memory of Erma Bombeck who lost her fight with cancer.}