If I Had My Life to Do Over
I'd make a few more mistakes next time. I'd relax. I would be sillier than I had been this trip. I would take fewer things seriously. 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 wisely and elegantly 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 persons who never goes anywhere without a hot bottle and a package of everything. If I had it to do again, I would travel lighter.
If I had my life to do over again, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would go to more dances. I would ride more merry-go-rounds (旋转木马). I would pick more daisies.
Nadine Stair, 85, Louisville, Kentucky
（选自Patricia K. Werner. A Content-based Grammar）