Hi, When I read the posts about all the children, I remember something Irma put in the newspaper. That when the kids were fighting, she would get out the play pen, And when the kids were through fighting she would climb out of the play pen. Also she ate at a resturant that served squid and octipus. And she said she would never eat any thing that hung on the plate for dear Life. We could use her funny sayings now a days.

-- Irene texas (tkorsborn@cs.com), April 21, 2002

Answers

Irma Bombeck has greatly influenced my life. She taught me I could laugh at myself and so much more, too. She wrote the following after she was diagnosed with cancer.

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER by Erma Bombeck

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 ramble 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 wasn'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 ... live it ... and never give it back.

-- Laura (LadybugWrangler@somewhere.com), April 21, 2002.

I should gripe less about my designated other.

LOL at myself.

Huggs to Irene, Darryl, etc.

-- Rose (open_rose@hotmail.com), April 21, 2002.

Irma was my inspiration and my hero as well! She kept her sense of humor even thorugh the tragedies in her life straight through to her very sad death from cancer. I truly miss her and when things get hard I try to think about what Irma would have to say about it. With that thought, I always tend to find some type of humor in most any situation. It has kept me sane through some very difficult times. (Gosh, I just realized I sound like I "knew" her..LOL! Guess, I listened to her so much on TV and radio and read so many of her books I feel almost like I did!) Humor is the key that unlocks unbearable saddness.

-- Karen (mountains_mama2@hotmail.com), April 21, 2002.

Wasn't she wonderful? I chuckle every time I look out back..it reminds me of her book, "The Grass Is Always Greener Over The Septic Tank" hee hee hee hee hee hee!!!!!

-- lesley (martchas@bellsouth.net), April 21, 2002.

I love Erma bombeck. I have read all of her books so many times, I think I have them memorized. She was a wonderful person, who never allowed her celebrity to turn her into anything but a mother, and housewife!!!! Sometimes when I am a little down I will re-read one of ehr books, and I usually end up laughing so hard I am crying!!!

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), April 22, 2002.

Laura, thanks so much for that quote. I tend to take life to seriously from time to time and not focus on people enough. I printed that quote out and am hanging it on the frig.

-- Nancy (nannyb@huntel.net), April 22, 2002.