Purple Hats!

My dearest gang,

I received this article from OG Mariam Suleiman (K Yam to most). I know, this is one of the numerous articles that has quite an immense circulation everywhere. I too have read this a couple of times before. But when I received the mail, I decided to read it again (as it just arrived fresh from Yam). It must be the cosmos, or the hormones in me at play or the disruptive emotional status I was in at that instant, late last night (over a little unsettled issue with someone close) that I went all melancholic over the evocative thoughts of Erma Bombeck, that pierced again and again deep into my heart.

To be honest, the thoughts are so identifiable in our everyday lives. We do make those mistakes ever so often. I dare admit. (But why oh why?) Even after reading them, I do find I would still make some of those mistakes again (triple sigh, but why oh why?). Ahh...the truth of it all, when they say..'We are human after all' (translates as humans make the same mistakes over and over and truly we wonder why?) Probably the answer lies in the fact that we find it hard to swallow our pride most times. It must simply has to do with our pride to my mind (unless you know of other answers).

On that note, I do realise to embrace humility (very hard to do, let me tell ya, hard for me too, honest...guides honour) is the cure to most of our human ailments and to other of our numerous daily bloops and blunders.

So here goes the article...for all of us to ponder and make amends.

Purple Hats!

In memory of Erma Bombeck who lost her fight with cancer. Here is an angel sent to watch over you.

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck (written after she found out she was dying from cancer).

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 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. I hope you all have a blessed day.

Beautiful Women's Month

Age 3: She looks at herself and sees a Queen.

Age 8: She looks at herself and sees Cinderella.

Age 15: She looks at herself and sees an Ugly Sister (Mom I can't go to school looking like this!)

Age 20: She looks at herself and sees "too fat/too thin, too short/too tall, too straight/too curly"- but decides she's going out anyway.

Age 30: She looks at herself and sees "too fat/too thin, too short/too tall, too straight/too curly" - but decides she doesn't have time to fix it, so she's going out anyway.

Age 40: She looks at herself and sees "clean" and goes out anyway.

Age 50: She looks at herself and sees "I am" and goes wherever she wants to go.

Age 60: She looks at herself and reminds herself of all the people who can't even see themselves in the mirror anymore. Goes out and conquers the world.

Age 70: She looks at herself & sees wisdom, laughter and ability, goes out and enjoys life.

Age 80: Doesn't bother to look. Just puts on a purple hat and goes out to have fun with the world.

Maybe we should all grab that purple hat earlier.

Illustration:www.ameriglobe.net/.../thumb/tn_EH-004.JPG