Plugging The Hole In My Bucket List
Posted: Thursday, September 09, 2010
by Grace O'Malley
Have you ever thought of what it would be like to fulfill your life's desires? Have you ever thought to write them down? That is what a bucket list is: writing down what you would like to accomplish in life. From the little things to the big ones, something to aspire to.
As a teenager I had a list as long as my legs of all the things I wanted to do see and accomplish before I was 30. My bucket overflowed with lists of must do's and must have's before retirement. By the time adulthood came around there were dings and scratches on that bucket but it held. When my 30th birthday arrived some of those dings had become holes and my lists began to leak out. I thought by adding new lists I could stuff up those darn holes.
Not long ago my daughter had an assignment at school to write her own personal bucket list. All of us decided to join in the fun. Being young, our daughters filled line after line of dreams and desires. Hubby had a bucket list of things he always wanted to do and has yet to accomplish. Me? My bucket list is now short. Very short.
1. See my kids grow up healthy and happy
2. Spend the rest of my life with my hubby at my side.
I know that doesn't sound like much. There is actually more to it. When I get to the twilight of my life and look back at my list, I want it to go something like this:
Today I took a trip to the market, picking up a few things we needed at home. As I pull up to our old cottage by the sea, I cannot help but stop and stare at the simplicity of its white washed walls, smoke billowing from the chimney in welcome, colorful sprays of flowers blooming in the front yard, all surrounded by a small white picket fence.
Stepping from the truck and grabbing my purchases, my bones creak with the weariness of old age. Entering the cottage smells of lavender and freshly brewed tea assail my senses. Glancing to my left I see the love of my life dutifully baking away. His once vibrant hair is now beautiful silver. The intense love we have shared still shines brightly in his handsome features. He turns, smiling brilliantly, and embraces me with the same passion we have shared over the decades. Setting my meager items on the counter and taking a seat in one of the comfortable oak chairs, I pour two cups of dark Irish tea from an elegant Russian tea pot purchased years ago. I gently pat the scarred table top, inviting him to join me as we have so many times.
The smell of his skin, the feel of his touch, the familiar surroundings of our home: they remind me of the life we have shared together. I think back to the day we first set out on our journey to see the world. I see the photos we took together, some of which now hang on our walls as reminders of all we have seen and done. I see the beautiful worn desks and the rows of books residing within our office; a place we both spent so much time working together.
Setting my tea cup upon the table, my hand reaches up and gently caresses the still handsome face of the man I gave my heart and soul to long ago. I thank him for sharing his life with me, for loving me with all he is, and for never giving up on us.
Evening is now fast approaching, and the meal he had been preparing is nearly ready. Together we complete it then retire to our bed. Nestled close to one another we reminisce of days long past, of our journey together, of the incredible love we have shared.
Thank you fate: for bringing him my way.
I like that idea. It won't really matter what it is we do, as long as we do it together. Anything else that happens along the way will just be icing on my cake of life, made all the sweeter by having the memories to look back on.
What's in your bucket?
As a teenager I had a list as long as my legs of all the things I wanted to do see and accomplish before I was 30. My bucket overflowed with lists of must do's and must have's before retirement. By the time adulthood came around there were dings and scratches on that bucket but it held. When my 30th birthday arrived some of those dings had become holes and my lists began to leak out. I thought by adding new lists I could stuff up those darn holes.
1. See my kids grow up healthy and happy
2. Spend the rest of my life with my hubby at my side.
I know that doesn't sound like much. There is actually more to it. When I get to the twilight of my life and look back at my list, I want it to go something like this:
Today I took a trip to the market, picking up a few things we needed at home. As I pull up to our old cottage by the sea, I cannot help but stop and stare at the simplicity of its white washed walls, smoke billowing from the chimney in welcome, colorful sprays of flowers blooming in the front yard, all surrounded by a small white picket fence.
Stepping from the truck and grabbing my purchases, my bones creak with the weariness of old age. Entering the cottage smells of lavender and freshly brewed tea assail my senses. Glancing to my left I see the love of my life dutifully baking away. His once vibrant hair is now beautiful silver. The intense love we have shared still shines brightly in his handsome features. He turns, smiling brilliantly, and embraces me with the same passion we have shared over the decades. Setting my meager items on the counter and taking a seat in one of the comfortable oak chairs, I pour two cups of dark Irish tea from an elegant Russian tea pot purchased years ago. I gently pat the scarred table top, inviting him to join me as we have so many times.
The smell of his skin, the feel of his touch, the familiar surroundings of our home: they remind me of the life we have shared together. I think back to the day we first set out on our journey to see the world. I see the photos we took together, some of which now hang on our walls as reminders of all we have seen and done. I see the beautiful worn desks and the rows of books residing within our office; a place we both spent so much time working together.
Setting my tea cup upon the table, my hand reaches up and gently caresses the still handsome face of the man I gave my heart and soul to long ago. I thank him for sharing his life with me, for loving me with all he is, and for never giving up on us.
Evening is now fast approaching, and the meal he had been preparing is nearly ready. Together we complete it then retire to our bed. Nestled close to one another we reminisce of days long past, of our journey together, of the incredible love we have shared.
Thank you fate: for bringing him my way.
I like that idea. It won't really matter what it is we do, as long as we do it together. Anything else that happens along the way will just be icing on my cake of life, made all the sweeter by having the memories to look back on.
What's in your bucket?
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More commentsYou're not the first person to ask me this, this week, Grace. But now I know how to answer the first person! Great article.It must be a popular thing this time of year if you've been asked this recently. Glad I could help answer it for you :)Grace
Great article, Grace. Thanks for sharing what is in your bucket list. I have very few in mine and the top two I have already done, so I am content. Very inspiring and beautifully done piece.Isn't it nice to be able to check off a few of those items Nenita? Thanks for coming by and commenting.Grace
A wonderful article Grace. Seems like somewhere along the line we reach the age of contentment and our bucket list is full. You are blessed.Thank you for coming by and leaving such a nice comment Linda. Here's hoping many more find their contentment.Grace
I couldn't help but think as I took a foray into your bucket, how the world would look today if we could all look at each other in this manner, as opposed to the trash talking, confrontational bunch that we seem more and more inclined to be. Wonderful article. Have a wonderful day!The world becoming confrontational? NAH! hehe Thanks for the nice comment David. It's always a pleasure to see you here.Grace
Its nice to read of someone who is content and happy with their life. Lovely lines, and heartfelt, beautiful words you have written here.I appreciate you saying that Richard. Always nice to have you come by to read and comment.Grace
I keep changing my bucket though, as life never gives you what you always want.Very nice article as usual. It has become a habit now to read only good stuffs from your bucket.Grace to you Grace!Regards, CPNothing wrong with changing your lists. Life usually gives you more than you realize. Nice to see you again CP.Grace
Your bucket list sounds perfect Grace. How lucky the two of you are to have found one another and to be so aware of all you have.Thank you Brianna. I hope your bucket list is equally as perfect.Grace
I hope that this is not just a story for you because it fits the feeling my wife and I have for each other. We have had 43 great years together and what you have put to words would be a perfect way to spend the last years together.I like your bucket.No Robert, this is not just a story. It is the way my life really is. I am blessed and it sounds like you are too. Thank you for stopping by to read and comment.Grace
What a wonderful way of looking at this subject. Thank you for your perspective and for a few minutes of complete enjoyment!Thank you for reading and commenting Kriss! I hope you enjoy coming around SearchWarp and seeing all the great things people have to write about. Look forward to reading yours soon.Grace
Thanks for the article. It started me thinking about stuff I need and will enjoy thinking about. I turn 60 next month so bucket list like thoughts have been tugging in my sleeve a lot lately. Keep writing. texI appreciate your coming by and reading Tex. Enjoy filling up that bucket list.Grace
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