A treasure chest of memories

I have been thinking a lot about dying recently. The recent pandemic has shown us that life is fleeting, and none of us can guarantee tomorrow. I also lost my grandson in March without ever having had the chance to hold him, kiss him, or tell him how loved he was. All of it made me consider my own life and the days yet to come. At times like that, people often decide to make a bucket list of all the things they want to do. Stroke a tiger. See the Northern lights. Do a LOTR tour of New Zealand. Go parasailing, preferably somewhere warm and balmy.

Unfortunately, many of the items on my wish list cost a great deal of money, and I am realistic enough to know that they will remain unfulfilled, unless, of course, I write the next GOT series or break into the market like Stephenie Meyer did. I don't see the point of obsessing over things that will likely never happen, especially when I have a limited time allotted to me. Instead, I would rather use the time to check off a to-do list. Tell my son how much I love him, and how proud I am of him. Tell my husband that after 25 wonderful years of being together, he still makes me laugh, still fills my heart and makes me glad every day that I met him. Write that story down now so that others can enjoy it.

One of my favourite films is "It's a Wonderful Life" which I watch every Christmas Eve. If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it. George Bailey is given a chance to see what the world would be like had he never existed, and he comes to realise that the everyday, humdrum life that he has railed against and never been ever to escape from, was actually pretty great. He didn't need his bucket list to experience life in all its fullness - he had everything he could possibly want right there in Bedford Falls.

Don't write a bucket list of impossible dreams. Write down a list of all the amazing things you have already experienced, the people you have met, the places you have been. Celebrate the life you have already lived and be thankful for the little things that have enriched it. Then, put it in the same place as your will, so that when you finally leave this world, others will be able to appreciate the wonderful life that you have lived.