If I Had My Life to Live Over

I'd like to make more mistakes next time.
I'd Relax. I'd limber up. I would be sillier
than I have been on this trip. I would
take fewer things seriously. I would take more chances.
I would climb more mountains and swim in more rivers. 
I would eat more ice cream and less beans.
I would perhaps have more actual troubles, but
fewer imaginary ones...

You see, I'm one of those people who lives sensibly
and sanely hour after hour, day after day. Oh,
I've had many moments, and If I had to do it over again,
I'd have many more of them. In fact,
I'd try to have nothing else. Just moments, one after another,
instead of living so many years ahead each day. I've been one those persons,
who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat, a parachute.

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

If I had to live my life over, I would 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'd pick more daisies.

-Nadine Stair,
written at 85 years old,
Louisville, Kentucky

-Relax-