Recently, while cleaning out a room in my house, I found the following article. I had originally copied it out of a source long ago lost, and the place I had the article displayed in the room was obscured by furniture. So, it had been years since I had read it. It was written by an 85 year old man who had just learned that he was dying. I offer it up here to share with you.

If I

"If I had my life to live over again, I'd try to make more mistakes next time. I wouldn't try to be so perfect.

"I would relax more. I'd limber up. I'd be sillier than I've been on this trip. In fact, I know very few things that I would take so seriously. I'd be crazier. I'd be less hygenic.

"I'd take more chances, I'd take more trips, I'd climb more mountains, I'd swim more rivers, I'd watch more sunsets, I'd go more places I'd never been to. I'd eat more ice cream and fewer beans.

"I'd have more actual troubles and fewer imaginary ones.

"You see, I was one of those people who lived prophylactically and sensibly and sanely hour after hour and day after day. Oh, I've had my moments, and if I had it to do all over again, I'd have more of those moments. In fact, I'd try to have nothing but beautiful moments----moment by moment by moment.

"I've been one of those people who never went anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a gargle, a raincoat, and a parachute. If I had it to do all over again, I'd travel lighter next time.

"If I had it to do all over again, I'd start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I'd ride more merry-go-rounds, I'd watch more sunrises, and I'd play with more children, if I had my life to live over again.

"But, you see, I don't."

Your comments or questions are welcome at houghton@classicpreservation.com.

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