Time and time again

"If I had to live my life 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

fewer things seriously. I would take more chances. I would

take more trips.

I would climb more mountains, 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

live 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, I'd 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 persons who never goes anywhere

without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat

and a parachute. If I had it to do again,

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 would go to more dances.

I would ride more merry-go-rounds.

I would pick more daisies."

-Nadine Stair