Nora Ephron passed away last month.  I’ve always been fascinated by her but am sad to admit that I never really learned much about who she was or what she was about. It’s easy to let the writers hide, I think; not that I think she was intentionally hiding, but when her stories and words are given life by people so recognizable, it’s the others I tend to think of first. Meg Ryan in “When Harry Met Sally,” and Meryl Streep in “Julie & Julia” both became those roles and were radiant in the limelight. Nora shined in her own way, but just left of center stage and not quite as celebrated on the red carpet.

I haven’t read her books. I should. In her last book, I Remember Nothing, she wrote two poignant lists: what she’ll miss and what she won’t. I don’t know enough to know if she knew how much time she had left (as much as we can know something like that) when she wrote them. Doesn’t really matter; they smack of her pointed and insightful brand of humor that I’ve loved forever.

I’ve got a long way to go before I can even hope to walk in Nora’s shadow, but I love the idea of her lists enough that I want two of my own. They’ll change, I’m sure, as life does. That’s ok. I’d rather have them evolve than stay stagnant.

What I’ll Miss

My kids

Rain…the sound, the smell, the crisp air right after it stops

Crème Brulee

A perfect medium rare steak

Picnics, complete with drippy peanut butter and jelly sandwiches

Red wine

Sleeping in

The concept of travel

Reading with my kids

Catching up with old friends

Playing catch

Surprising new favorite songs via Pandora

Cooking, especially Thanksgiving dinner

Chai tea lattes

Cupcakes

Deep stretches

Downward dog, pigeon and butterfly

What I Won’t Miss

Dieting

Pimples

My double chin

Playing catch up

Instant Messaging

Rush Limbaugh

Allergies

Debt

Cigarette smoke

Mean girls

Reminding people that I DO work, just not for someone else

Wasted potential

Doubt

Saying No

What are your lists? Link up below to share…I’d love to read them.