My Boggled Mind

The bucket list. (Also see I Believe)

 Certain events in my life and the lives of my friends have made me think more about life – and death so I’ve decided to create my own bucket list.

 I believe we are all here for a reason and sometimes we’re lucky enough to know what that reason is but most often, we leave this world not knowing what the purpose was and if or how we fulfilled it.

 I’d like to believe that by my end, my reason will be clear but it doesn’t have to be because I know that for good or bad, I have had an affect on the lives of others.

 Naturally I’ve had an effect on my children – I wonder what they will come away with – which of my many ‘words of wisdom’ will they carry through their lives and how will it change the direction of their lives?

But the effect your presence has on the world is much higher reaching than most of us can conceive.

 I have a friend who lost a family member last year and was astounded to hear from so many people that had been touched by his life.  Adults now, whom he had coached as children remembered him fondly, kids that he saw safely across the street as a crossing guard.  In taking the time to share those memories and thoughts with the family, those people gave them much more than condolence and sympathy.  They had the fortune to know and understand how he had touched and affected others.

 When I go – I want it to be quick (painless would be nice too) but quick. But, since I can’t pick my death, I only ask that you believe that if I am lingering, that it will only be my spirit, my soul, hanging in a little longer to say goodbye.

 Even if you think I can’t understand, can’t see, can’t hear – Sit with me and talk to me, play my favourite music, play my favourite movies, videos of the kids laughing and playing.  Fill my room with pictures so that if I can’t look at them the way you’d imagine, my heart will see..  Talk to me, tell me everything you ever wanted to say but didn’t … this will be my last chance to hear your voice and you will be talking to my heart – and to my soul.

When I go, celebrate my life – but if I’ve given you enough notice, invite me to the party!

 Now for the bucket list:

 I want to swim under a waterfall – one of those nice ones you see on tropical island commercials will be good, but I’m not going to wait for that I will be hunting waterfalls.

 I want to see the place in Newfoundland that has the waves.  I love waves and the sound of the ocean.  I want to see waves that surfers surf on and if I can muster the courage, I’d like to try surfing.

 I want to go to Mardi Gras and dance in the street – I want to do this both in New Orleans and in Rio – and while I’m there, I want to see the statue of Christ the Redeemer

 I want to witness, first hand, the birth of a child and I want to hold my hand on his mother’s belly and feel him kick

 I want to live, not just exist.

This post was inspired by Some Little People

It’s not like I’m a ‘frequent flier’ but I’ve taken my fair share of flights in recent years and always find it amusing when, upon landing, the passengers see fit to applaud the work of the pilots.

Pardon me, but isn’t that what they are supposed to be doing?  Flying the plain and landing safely? 

Seriously.

On Friday October 23rd some passengers on their way to Minneapolis got the special scenic route to Wisconsin, that before the crew and people on the ground were able to get the attention of the pit crew.  Oops. 

Thankfully no one was hurt and the plane turned around and landed at the original destinations, I be they didn’t get any applause!

I know it’s a hard job, I know there is training and regulations and lots of dials and do-hickeys that need to be observed and monitored – isn’t that why the pilots shouldn’t be sleeping? (oh.. right.. they were in a deep discussion of policy that rendered them incapable of hearing radio communications.  Right. Gotcha.  wink wink nudge nudge)

There are all together too many possibilities as to what those pilots were doing for at least 14 minutes behind closed doors but deep in discussion and loosing track of time and faculties aren’t at the top of my guess list.

Me?  I’ll continue to “expect” a smooth take off and landing and won’t be joining the practice of applauding the fact that we all survived a plane landing – perhaps if we go back to expecting a job well done – we will have to worry less about what exactly the pilots are doing .

OK, I’m a little tired of the Michael Jackson thing.

Don’t get me wrong.  I grew up “with” Michael.  We watched the Jackson 5 on t.v. regularly, enjoyed all the specials they were a part of, I even had a bit of a crush on him as a kid.

As an adult, I enjoyed his music but had a hard time with his ‘personal life’ and yes, it was a shocker when I heard he was dead.

However, I am loath to say that I don’t think all the attention is warranted.  Especially still months after his death.

Maybe I’m wrong but I don’t, or maybe ‘won’t’ hold “Wacko Jacko” in the same league with Lennon, Elvis, and Dianna who’s deaths shocked and rocked the world.  This is a man who, while a talented artist, did not live his life in a manner deserving of so much posthumous attention.   Even if the allegations child molestation were indeed false, there is still the tiny matter of his passion for self mutilation.

My opinion.  He lived a sad sad life and while I do hope he is at peace now.  Let’s all just let him rest and move on.