If I Had My Life To Live Over

Walden Pond (Concord, Massachusetts)

It's good to be reminded by someone who's lived a long life that our lives are finite. Yesterdays should stay where we've left them and tomorrows need not consume us with worry. What's important is what we choose to do in the here and now. Be in the moment. Enjoy family and friends. Make memories.

We read this poem in one of my classes last summer and it's stuck with me.



My hens, Samantha and Pearl, are my daisies.

What brings you great joy?


By Nadine Stair, 85 years-old

Louisville, Kentucky

If I had my life to live over, I'd dare to make more mistakes next time.

I'd relax. I would limber up.

I would be sillier than I have been this trip.

I would take fewer things seriously.

I would take more chances. I would take more trips.

I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers.

I would eat more ice cream and less beans.

I would perhaps have more actual troubles, but I'd have fewer imaginary ones.

You see, I'm one of those people who live sensibly and sanely hour after hour, day after day.
Oh I've had my moments and if I had it to do over again, I'd have more of them.

In fact, I'd try to have nothing else.

Just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day.

I've been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat, and a parachute.

If I had to do it again, I would travel lighter than I have.

If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall.

I would go to more dances.

I would ride more merry-go-rounds.

I would pick more daisies.

Walden Pond (Concord, Massachusetts)