Erma Bombeck
Someone asked me the other day if I had my life to live over would I change anything.
My answer was no, but then I thought about it and changed my mind.
If I had my life to live over again I would have talked less and listened more.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been combed and sprayed.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was dirty and the sofa faded.
I would have eaten popcorn in the “good” living room and worried less about the dirt when you lit the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather talk about his youth.
I would have sat on the grass with my children and never worried about grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching TV... and more while watching real life.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband which I took for granted.
I would have gone to bed when I was sick, instead of pretending the Earth would go into a holding pattern if I werent there for a day.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical/wouldnt show soil/ promised to last a lifetime.
When my child kissed me, I would never have said, “Later. Now, go get washed up for dinner.”
There would have been more I love yous ... more Im sorrys ... more Im listenings ...
But mostly, if I had my life to live over, I would seize every minute, look at it and really see it,
live it and never give it back.
曾有人问我,如果有机会再活一次,我是否会让生活做出一些改变……
我的回答是“不”,可是想想之后,我又有了不同的想法:
如果我能再活一次,我会少说多听。
我决不会因为夏天头发刚刚梳理过、喷过发胶,就一定要把车窗玻璃关起来。
我一定会邀请朋友共进晚餐,即使这会让地毯弄脏,让沙发褪色。
我會在精致的客厅里吃爆玉米花。我也不会操心有人在壁炉生火带出灰尘。
我会花点时间听爷爷讲述他年轻时候的经历。
我要和孩子们一起坐在草坪上,再不担心身上会沾上草渍。
看电视我会少哭少笑一点,而观察生活时我会多哭多笑一点。
我会更多地分担我丈夫承担的职责,而之前我认为这些事情他做是理所当然的。
生病的时候我就卧床休息,不会假装自己一天不在,地球就会停止转动。
买东西时我再也不会只看它实用、耐脏,或能保证用一辈子。
孩子们来亲我时,我决不会说:“等等。先去洗手吃饭。”
我要更多地说“我爱你” “对不起” “我在听”……
总之,如果我能再活一次,我要把握好每一分钟,欣赏生活,真正地关注生活,去品味生活,且决不放弃生活。
范妍翻译整理