If I Had My Life To Live Over

By: Roy Terracina

Whenever I give a speech to young people at a school or event. I always hand out this poem written by Nadine Stair when she was 85 years old.

“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 I’d
have 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 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 people who never go anywhere
without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat
and a parachute.
If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot
earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall.
If I had it to do again, I would travel lighter next time.
I would go to more dances.
I would ride more merry-go-rounds.
I would pick more daisies.”
By Nadine Stair (age 85)

This poem hangs in a very important place in my house. It serves as a daily reminder to me that we should be intentional about our lives. Not live with regrets about things we didn’t do, chances we didn’t take, or things that we were too afraid to say. Laugh. Play. Enjoy your life. Tell your loved ones that you love them.

I always give it to young people, because no matter where they come from or where they are currently in their life; they still have the time to go shape their own lives. At 76, I still have time. So we shouldn’t wait until we’re 85 like the poet and come to realization about a life unlived.