The Beginning of Social Justice, a quit by Cynthia Catlin is another display that you should not miss at the Bob Bullock Museum in Austin; only 11 more days on loan to Texas and then it will be gone.
By: Sister Tarpley
Religious Editor
Erma Bombeck, who wrote many funny family stories, she was one of my favorite authors. Bombeck wrote a story after learning that she was dying from cancer. Some of her words are worth repeating.
I have added a few things that are close to my heart. My only daughter, Sheila Tarpley Lott, had a birthday, August 17, and her only daughter, Tyanna Donnise Lott, was in Mexico on Sheila’s birthday.
I went to Sheila’s house and hugged her for Tyanna. These words from Bombeck are food for thought for all everyone. I wonder if my last niece, NaNa Avery Brown, in her lifetime, placed things in hierarchy.
I choose to believe that she did because I personally knew my niece.
IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE 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 the day.
. . . Used the best of everything that I had all of the time and not just saved it for special company.
. . . Talked less, listened and loved more. . . . Invited my family and friends over to the house for dinner more; it wouldn’t matter how stained the carpet was or how faded the sofa.
. . . 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.
. . . Taken the time to listen to my grandfather and grandmother ramble about his or her youth and kept notes about the family history.
. . . Shared more of the responsibility carried by my spouse and encouraged him or her more.
. . . Never insisted we ride in the car if we could have walked instead.
. . . Sat on the lawn and not think about the grass or grass stains on my clothes.
. . . Cried and laughed more while watching life and less while watching television.
. . . Brought things just because they were practical, wouldn’t show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
. . . I would have cherished every moment with my child, children or grandchildren and realized that the wonderment and innocence would not last forever.
. . . Attended more school functions and PTA programs to show support for my child or children.
. . . Liked it more when my kids kissed me impetuously, I never would have said, “Later. Now go get washed up for dinner or go out to play.”
. . . Give out more “I love you’s, more hugs 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.
I would stop sweating the small stuff. I wouldn’t worry about who doesn’t like me, who has more, or who’s doing what. Instead, I would cherish the relationships I have with those who do love me.
Let’s think about what God has blessed us with. And what we are doing each day to promote ourselves mentally, physically, emotionally, in this life as well because then it’s gone.
