Go burn that candle...

Sometimes you read something, see something, hear something and it just stays with you.

Early this afternoon in Brisbane city centre there was a dramatic incident. Reports of a gunman, panic and evacuation. Thankfully the situation was under control pretty quickly but all of a sudden that thought of 'wrong place, wrong time' entered my head. I wasn't in any danger but it did make me pause and just for a second think about the unthinkable.

I try and live the moments as much as is practically possible, but it's easy to get sucked into everyday routines and expectations. I need to be reminded of a few things every now and again.

A few years ago I was sent this poem by my sister in law. I was at work so I quickly glanced over it. It wasn't a glancing over poem. If I'm honest, it stopped me in my tracks! It's a poem written by Erma Bombeck called 'If I had my life to live over'. (More information about Erma Bombeck HERE)

There's a line that just stuck in my head...and came to me again today.

"I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage"

I don't really know why this particular line, there are many others that resonated with me too, but this line has kept a voice in my head over time.

Christmas just gone there was a candle under my tree. A really nice candle...

For weeks I kept lifting the lid to catch that gorgeous smell.

The candle sat on the coffee table, it spent a little time on the mantlepiece, it moved on to the little table.

Then that line....

"I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage"

...I LOVE the smell of my candle

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the "good" living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather rambling about his youth.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted 

in storage.

I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television, and more 

while watching life.

I would have gone to bed when I was sick, instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment, realizing that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."

There would have been more "I love you's" and more "I'm sorry's"

. . . but mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute . . . 

look at it and really see it . . . and never give it back. 

Happy Friday,