Nadine Stair, 85 years old at the close of her life…

If I had my life to live over, I’d try

To make more mistakes next time. I would

Relax, I would limber up, I would be crazier

Than I have been on this trip. I know very

Few things I’d take seriously anymore.

I would take more chances, I would take more

Trips, I would scale more mountains,

I would swim more rivers, and I would

Watch more sunsets.

I would have more actual troubles

And fewer imaginary ones. You see…

I was one of those people who lived

Prophylactically and sensibility and sanely,

Hour after hour and day after day.

Oh, I have had my moments

And if I had to do it all over

Again, I’d try not to have anything

Else, just moments, one after another,

Instead of living so many

Years ahead of my day. I’ve been

One of those people who never went

Anywhere without a thermometer,

A hot water bottle, a gargle,

A raincoat and a parachute.

If I had to do it all over again

I’d travel lighter, much lighter,

Than I have.

I would start barefoot earlier

In the spring, and I’d stay that way

Later in the fall. And I would

Ride more merry-go-rounds, and

Catch more gold rings, and greet

More people, and pick more flowers,

And dance more often. If I had it

To do all over again.

But you see,

I don’t.

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