Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Before I Kick the Bucket List

     Have you ever sat down and thought about what you wanted to accomplish before you kicked the bucket?? Would you like to go skydiving, ride a bull, climb a mountain, love deeper, and try to make peace and forgive those you hadn’t before? Seeing my mom die at the age of 51 and my dad at 65, the ole bucket list has a little more meaning for me because mine includes all the things that the two of them missed out on through no fault of their own. It woke me up to the reality of how precious and short life is. If they hadn’t died so young I probably wouldn’t have had such an insight into this topic and realized that a lot of what is on my own bucket list was on theirs as well. I want to live each day knowing that maybe not today, but maybe tomorrow I can!

        I want to see both my kids grow up, marry, and have kids of their own settled and happy. I want to enjoy the overwhelming happiness of being the mother of the bride and groom. I look forward to gaining another son and daughter on the day of their marriages and welcoming them with open arms into the family. I want to hold each of my grandchildren, cherish them, and spend as much time with them as I can. Ideally I would love to see them grown and married pursuing their own lives with vigor. I want to see all the little things that matter most, and be there for the special moments of their lives from graduations to weddings. I want to be there to celebrate with them and comfort them in their times of sorrow. I want my kids, their significant others, and my grandkids to congregate at my house for good ole fashion family reunions filled with laughter and tons of food at every major holiday. I want them to never doubt for one millisecond how much I truly love them.


     I would like to see a day when all the bills are paid up to date and I still have money in my pocket. Even though I know my bill collectors wouldn’t know how to act if they couldn’t harass me for money, I might just miss telling them when they threaten collection that I’ve been there and done that. It would be a hardship for them not to have the privilege of winning a free bushel of horse $hit for their trouble or the pleasure of me encouraging them to kiss it. I wish a day would come when my husband wouldn’t have to work so hard, and I could spend most of my days at his side. I would give anything if he could be home more and we still would be able to pay bills and enjoy life. That doesn’t figure in very well when you are paid by the mile and you love to drive a semi truck. If that truck isn’t rolling, there is no money to be had.

     I want to be able to explore the world with my little family. If not Europe and the Caribbean, then Disney World and some of the great travel hot spots in the United States. I want to be able to use my camper as a means of lodging while we travel cross country exploring all the beauty I can find. Since I haven’t been anywhere in years, going any place would be welcome. I love to explore!! I want to make memories with my husband and kids that I can cherish for the rest of my life and document in pictures.

     Most of all I want to live a life filled with laughter. Instead of my cup running over with sadness, I prefer overflowing with happiness. I would accept the daily challenge to find the blessings in each day and be thankful for each one no matter how small and insignificant. A big one on my bucket list is to know deep in my heart when I do die that my family know without a doubt how much I cherished each of them and enjoyed the wild ride of life at their side. That is all I have to say until next time when I give you another glimpse into the life of a trucker’s wife.

22 comments:

  1. That is just precious! Your family is blessed to have you in it.

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  2. great post.. simple yet very telling...

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  3. great read, and love your blog page. Mine is simple as I am not as knowledgeable of creating a fun page. Your dreams and hopes are much like mine, except that I do not own anyone even a dime.;)

    Please check my blog. Your opinions are important to me. I am new here so lets shake hands and say hello.
    Sondra

    www.alonglifepath.com

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  4. This is such a wonderful list, Kathy. It sounds a lot like mine would be if I sat down to write it all out. I can't wait to be debt free, and not owe anyone a dime. And traveling around the country with my family would absolutely be a dream come true. But most of all, I want to live to see my kids grown and able to take care of themselves. You did lose your mother at a young age, didn't you! It really does change your perspective on life when your parents are no longer with you. My parents were 60 and 72 when they died.

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  5. I love it. I knew your list would be all about seeing your kids futures! I didn't guess you would want your trucker home more, I guess as my experience taught me, having them home part-time isn't all that bad! LOL I actually enjoyed the years my husband came home on Thursday late night and left Sunday night again. It was a comfortable routine for us. When he started being home all week, it was a giant change for everyone. He seemed to think he could just start being the king! ha ha ha Didn't happen quite like that. He had to back off and work his way into the routine we had all been living for years. It's all good now that it's just us and the furbabies. He still stays out of town every now and again and it's really not a problem. ♥

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  6. What a great post! Thank you so much for sharing (and I LOVE the Tim McGraw song).

    Katheryn

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  7. Darlene, I wonder if they think of me as a blessing? They might figure it out when I am dead in hindsight. Thank you for stopping by to read and for your kind comments!

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  8. Danneromero, thank you for stopping by to read and for your kind comments!

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  9. Sondra, thank you so much for stopping by! I am so pleased you enjoyed what you found here. Thanks.for your kind comments! I will stop by and check your site out!

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  10. Theresa, I wish they could have lived longer. Thank you for stopping by to read and comment!

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  11. Jo, I will admit I have grown accustomed to him never being around and sometimes it takes a little bit to adjust to him being home when he arrives. Then we have so much fun together and it is so nice.having him around that I always hate to see him go. Thanks for stopping by to read and for your comments!

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  12. Katherine, thank you for stopping in and for your kind comments!

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  13. I always love stopping in to see you. I'd bet my last dollar (hey! here it is!) that your children know to their very cores just how much they are loved. When they find the people they want by their sides, I also know that you'll joyfully accept them. And when you become a grandmother? Now that will be a blast and those lucky little kids will have the warmest, most loving grandparent in you that they'll light up at the mention of your name.

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  14. Your posts are always a blessing to read. Family is certainly the most important thing in our lives. Thanks for sharing yours.

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  15. why am i crying? and smiling? LOVE YOU! MUAH

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  16. Word Nerd, I hope you are right! I tell them I love them every chance I get!! Thank you for stopping in to read and for your kind comments!

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  17. KAT, I am so pleased you enjoyed it!! Thank you for stopping in to read and comment!

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  18. Brenda, so pleased you enjoyed my post! Thank you for stopping in to read and comment!

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  19. Your posts are always a favorite of mine! Thank you for sharing another glimpse into your life!

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  20. Susan, you just made my day!! Thank you for stopping in! I am so happy you enjoy what you find here. Somehow it makes it all worthwhile to continue. :D

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  21. Melanie here! I enjoyed this piece, please email me--I have a question about your blog. MelanieLBowen[at]gmail[dot]com

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  22. Milady, thanks for stopping by. I am so pleased you enjoyed what you found here.

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