Bucket List

Many people all over the world have a bucket list, a list of things they’d like to do before they kick the bucket. And I, dear readers, am one with a list.

I have about 100 things I’d like to do before I die.

Some are what most would consider just “everyday” things: buy a house, get married, have children–but to me they weren’t just everyday things that happen to everyone. I know people in their 50s who’ve never owned their own home or married. I know many people who’ve never had children (some by choice, others just because it wasn’t in the cards for them).

Some things on my list would make my poor mother’s heart race: photograph a tornado, fly an ultralight, see (not touch, but see) a shark in the ocean, touch an alligator, spot a predatory animal out in the wild.

Then there are a few things that would only matter to me and would make most everyone else roll their eyes: Learn the Gettysburg Address, visit the major battlefields of the Civil War, face a fear, wear a historical costume in public, watch a lunar eclipse, learn to dance, read the entire Bible, ride a train, ride a subway, take a helicopter ride, travel out of the USA and Canada.

There are many, many more. At 26, I think I’ve done a little less than half: I’ve married, had children, bought a house, spotted a shark in the ocean, was chased by a predatory animal (I’m counting the cougar on this one), finished writing a book, watched a lunar eclipse, worn a historical costume in public, traveled out of the USA and Canada, touched an alligator, met an author, learned to sew, learned to fly fish, started a family tradition, and several others–typically the easier ones.

One thing on my bucket list, however, was to learn something new every single day for an entire year. I put this off at first because I thought there was no way I’d ever accomplish this. Then, when I’d learn something new one day, I’d say, “This is it, this is what I’m starting with.” But then the next day, I’d forget about my quest.

So not so long ago, I decided it was hardcore time to start learning these facts and have stuck to it.

At first I thought I’d hate it and wondered why on earth I’d added such an arid thing to my list. But now I’ve had a total change of heart and it’s one of my favorite things on my list.  Some of the things I’ve learned have spurred reactions that ranged from “Oh, I had no idea the little shop in town I thought was a tavern is actually a tap dance studio” to “Well, that explains why I don’t like…” to “Wow, I’m a real idiot!” to “Now that I know the reason behind it, that’s not really such a bad word!”

So ladies and gents, what’s on your bucket list?