If I Could Live Forever

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 lives seriously and sanely hour after hour, day after day.

Oh, I have had my moments. And if I had to do it 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 to do it 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 autumn.

I would go to more dances.

I would ride more merry-go-rounds.

I would pick more daisies.

Nadine Stair

(This perspective of life was written at age 85)