I was digging through old tax records in preparation for our 2007 filing when I found my list. Referred to in a movie of the same name as "The Bucket List" because the idea is to achieve all list items before you kick the bucket, mine had been created almost 6 years ago. Not a single goal on that list has been achieved or even attempted, and when I read a particular goal on my list I knew I could no longer put it off.
The five words of goal #4 seem simple enough: "Get to know my father." But he has been gone now as many years as Cora is old, and so reading those words make my heart literally ache with regret, and the "what ifs" and "should haves" and "could've beens" start taking over. I won't have that happen again, so here (for accountabilities sake) is my list:
1. Learn to whistle
2. Change my own oil
3. Lead a 5’ 10 (that is a level of difficulty describing a rock climbing route)
4. Get to know my father
5. Complete a triathlon and/or marathon
6. Learn another language
7. Visit the Heidelberg Castle (that is where my maiden name, Heide, comes from)
8. Dye my hair (silly I know, but that might be harder for me than the marathon!!)
9. Hike/raft the Grand Canyon
10. Swim with dolphins
11. Visit all 50 states (only 31 more to go!)
12. See the Counting Crows live
13. Build a huge sandcastle
14. Learn to play “What Child Is This” on the violin (that would of course require learning to read music and learning how to play the violin)
15. Spend 1 month without TV
16. Get an article published in a nationally distributed magazine
17. Learn to sew again (I was a pro back in Jr. High, but it's been 15 yrs since I have touched a sewing machine and I am a little rusty!)
18. Ride in a hot air balloon
19, Take a roadtrip with no predetermined destination
20. Get a book published (even if no one buys it!)
21. Grow a garden that must include corn
22. Learn sign language
23. Eat real gelato in Italy
24. Go skinny dipping (this list was obviously written pre-baby, it should now say "go skinny dipping at night, when it is pitch black, when there is no moon and when no other soul is around")
25. Teach my mom how to hug
26. Take my children to the top of the Tooth of Time (a peak at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico)
27. Learn how to sail
And that is all folks. My life's To Do List.
4 comments:
Now, I have a question regarding #24...I seem to remember a certain rafting trip in Riggins which led to camping in a tent in McCall with a lot of loud late night singing which then led to some certain young girls jumping in the lake without any clothing on...I remember one red head for sure, but were you on the shore laughing with me or screaming in the cold water with said red head?
I have yet to write a "Bucket List" however, one of my goals is to run a marathon before I am 30. If I happen to move back to the area, I say that you and I start working on crossing that item off! As for the comnent above . . .ANDREA! ANDREA who worked at A&W with all of us crazy girls and one crazy red head?
Hi Amber -- Love your blog!! I found it through your incredibly, fabulous mom-in-law. You are a great writer -- maybe one day I can help you with number 20. I'm the friend who's also a published writer.
Does a life size sand car count for #13? Do you remember the sand car we made on the beach in California with my cousins Brig and Trent and their cousin Trenton? We could sit in it and everything. Cute little two seater sporty looking!
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