My bucket list

Originally posted 11 June 2019…

I’ve recently been asked if I wrote a book to cross it off of my bucket list. Nope. Writing a book was as close to being on my bucket list as running a full marathon. And anyone who knows me also knows I do not run (unless it’s during a code blue at work – I make that exception). Writing a book was never supposed to happen. Literature and composition classes were my absolute least favorite of all my courses. And I’m a true nerd, so that is saying something. There are plenty of other things on my imaginary bucket list that I’ve completed, and many more that I have yet to accomplish. And the list seems to keep getting longer. Does anyone else have that problem? The more life I’ve experienced, the more I want to do.

But what does the term “bucket list” even mean? Where did it come from? It turns out it originates from the phrase “kick the bucket” – literally from when the bucket holding someone’s feet up while being hanged got kicked out from under them. Morbid. (But isn’t it crazy how so many of our sayings originate from negative ideas, like the lyrics of several nursery rhymes? Eek.)

Enough about this idiom’s dark origin. I prefer more pleasant topics.   The concept of a bucket list eventually evolved into the list of things one desires to accomplish prior to the end of one’s life. Creating your bucket list is a great way to realize what your life’s dreams and priorities are, and it helps you steer back in that direction if you’ve gone off course for a while. Of course, then the bucket list may change to accommodate a new path, and that’s ok too.

So what is actually on my bucket list? The ones accomplished thus far include skydiving, graduating from medical school, serving in a hospital overseas, hiking the Grand Canyon…  As crazy as it sounds, one of the ones not yet checked off is joining a world traveling orchestra. This has been on my list from the very beginning. And I’m sure it will stay there. How cool would that be?? Seeing the world, and getting to play my flute all at the same time – two of my greatest passions. Too many other things must take priority first – like raising my kids to love God and love others. No biggie. But someday…

What is on your bucket list? Better yet, is there something on your list that would surprise folks in your life?