An 85-year-old reflected on life...

by Nadine Stair

If I had my life to live over again,
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 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 
lived seriously 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, Id 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 people
 who never went anywhere 
without a thermometer,
a hot water bottle,  
a raincoat, 
and a parachute.
If I had to do it again,
I'd travel lighter.


If I had my life to live over,
I'd start barefoot earlier in the spring 
and stay that way later in the fall.
I'd go to more dances.
I'd ride more merry-go-rounds.
I would pick more daisies.

In loving memory of my mom
who would have agreed with this 85-year-old.

And to my dad & step-mom,
I'm running to keep up with you!

Love You!



from the book
Becoming Aware: A Human Relations Handbook,
Walker and Browkaw, 1962
used with permission