if I had my life to live over...

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 and swim 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 live sensibly and sanely

hour after hour, day after day.

Oh, I've had my moments.

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 could do it again, I would travel lighter than I have.

If I had my life to live 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

This is my favorite poem. ever. I received it back in the ninth grade from my Language Arts teacher. If you can picture in your mind a hippie, you'd be right on. I remember her long flowing skirts, pulled back waist length blonde hair, Birkenstock sandals for every season and her passion for her subject. I just wish I remembered her name. She wanted her students to experience books, not just read them. She wanted us to experience and write poetry, not just read it. I sometimes wonder if anyone else in my class kept that poem.

When I found this poem printed with beautifully illustrated daisies (an appropriate flower to remember her by), I discarded her typed black and white copy. My colorful poem now hangs in my creative space. A place I haven't had time or energy to visit in two weeks. Today I had to use my Cricut machine for a school project. One glance at this poem, and I thought of her.

I'd say: "I'm sorry for not having my quilt top completed and ready to share with you." or "I'm sorry I've been away from this space and many of yours for so long." but I can only say: "I can't live my life over." Life doesn't offer re-dos. I must continue on. I must prioritize my tasks in order to live moment to moment without regrets. My life (like many of yours) is really full right now. Next week I may be on more even ground, but right now I'm a little unbalanced.