The Bucket List

Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. An unlikely pair to inspire anyone to decisive action, yet I sat mesmerized, watching The Bucket List over and over.

This is what is missing! I need a list of things I want to do before I die. If not now, when?

I began with a list of the things I used to love--the sweet taste of cotton candy, blood oranges, fresh figs. All the things I loved as a child, a teen, a young adult before the realities of raising a family (apologies to my sons. I love you.) and paying bills set in. I had forgotten how exhilarating it was to watch the lightening and the waves crashing on the breakwaters of Lake Erie, the glassy smoothness of the bay in summer, or riding my bike around and around the block when I was only ten or so. What was more fun than a vanilla phosphate at Eckerd's soda fountain? Or playing old records? Or Waldameer Amusement Park (no admittance fee!) any time? And dancing..how I loved to dance.

So the Bucket List began with a chance remark about kayaking in the lagoons. I can do this. My son has a kayak. He can teach me. My walking at the Y turned into strength-training my upper body to be able to handle the paddling. Someone at the Y suggested whitewater rafting, a sport I love to watch.  Now, in the company of other women of a certain age, there will be a trip to the Ohiopyle to go rafting. Yes, I am scared spitless.

Although blessed with pretty good skin, I have this chin I just hate looking at. Add a chin lift and maybe some lipo to the list. I vowed never, ever to leave the house without sunscreen.  Vanity, thy name is Marilyn.

Spoiled brat that I am, I added a bicycle to tour the beach; a classic car--or three (pink '58 Caddy, '70 Chevelle SS--red and a '56 T-bird in chrome pink with wire wheels)--to drive on Sunday afternoons. I want to go out in a sailboat and a hot air balloon, take a road trip to visit friends and family, go on an Alaskan cruise and visit a tropical paradise.

The list is growing with people I want to see and places to go, things to do and challenges to confront. I will have to live 40 more years to do it all. Where will I be in 40 years if I don't do them? Just older, not more fulfilled.

I want it all, and I want it now, not when the weather is better or when the paperwork is done, or the basement is cleaned out. Now.