If I had my life to live over, I would listen more attentively,
to whomever took the time to speak to me.

I would still invite friends over to dinner even though the carpet was stained,
and still my children would have all their friends in, never feeling restrained.

Popcorn and drinks would be in the living room too,
as we all sat in front of the fireplace singing hymns as we all loved to do.

Again I'd teach my children to sew and crochet,
just as Nana taught me, as she told stories of her younger days.

Back then we held our children on our laps, in a car,
I'd give speech lessons by talking about everything we saw, whether our destination was near or
far.

There were treasured items I saved instead of enjoying them back then,
I would use and enjoy them if I had the chance again.

I would change my participation habits in the games my teens used to play,
I would not have read so much, having my nose in books a good part of every day.

Though I noticed every movement, every ruffle or kick in their developing stages,
I wish I'd kept a journal for each, filling all the pages.

I am so very grateful for the kisses given to and received by them,
and the "I Love You"s I said over and over again.

I once got a call from a married daughter just to say,
Thank You for loving me and telling me so every day.

Mama no one else in the place I work was raised with those loving words,
I had to call and thank you because of their stories I heard.

On second thought I don't need to have a second chance at the life God has given to me,
the first time was pretty terrific as I look back "I like what I see".