I didn't get married until I was 29. When I would go
to weddings my older aunts would come up to me and poke me saying, "You're
next." I finally had enough of that and figured out how to stop
them: I said the same thing to them at the next funeral.
As I write this I'm anticipating a phone call at any time informing me that my older brother has passed. He's been ill for some time and this past weekend took a turn for the worse. I'm not writing to seek sympathy; we're beyond that. What I'm thinking about are the things that Jeff wanted to do that he didn't get to do. He did a lot of things and enjoyed life. But there are things he wanted to do that aren't going to happen.
Of course then that makes me think of the things I want to do. I've had lots of opportunities and have taken advantage of a lot of them. I appreciate all that I've had the chance to learn, do and see. I could start a long list of the things but you'd all get bored. However, I can't help making a short list below. The point of this writing is to propose a new fund for folk like me: Make-A-Wish-For-Old-Guys. I don't mean to disrespect the endeavors of those who donate time and money to the current Make-A-Wish; I merely propose an additional cause.
If I had the money I'd follow the Formula One races for a year. I'd get to see a lot of countries and experience a lot of cultures. I'd like to go to every Mormon Temple opening, and I'd especially like to see the ones in Paris, Rome and Bangkok. I'd like to meet Mario Andretti. I'd like to ride in a Bugatti. (Andrea has done that and truthfully, I'm envious.) I would like to stand on the top of the mountain overlooking Lake Louise in Banff and marvel at God's creation. It would be great to spend 2 weeks in Branson and see every show there. Seeing Andrea Bocelli in concert in Italy would be fabulous. How many of you would like to join me in seeking the monster of Loch Ness, not caring if we found it or not?
As I write this I'm anticipating a phone call at any time informing me that my older brother has passed. He's been ill for some time and this past weekend took a turn for the worse. I'm not writing to seek sympathy; we're beyond that. What I'm thinking about are the things that Jeff wanted to do that he didn't get to do. He did a lot of things and enjoyed life. But there are things he wanted to do that aren't going to happen.
Of course then that makes me think of the things I want to do. I've had lots of opportunities and have taken advantage of a lot of them. I appreciate all that I've had the chance to learn, do and see. I could start a long list of the things but you'd all get bored. However, I can't help making a short list below. The point of this writing is to propose a new fund for folk like me: Make-A-Wish-For-Old-Guys. I don't mean to disrespect the endeavors of those who donate time and money to the current Make-A-Wish; I merely propose an additional cause.
If I had the money I'd follow the Formula One races for a year. I'd get to see a lot of countries and experience a lot of cultures. I'd like to go to every Mormon Temple opening, and I'd especially like to see the ones in Paris, Rome and Bangkok. I'd like to meet Mario Andretti. I'd like to ride in a Bugatti. (Andrea has done that and truthfully, I'm envious.) I would like to stand on the top of the mountain overlooking Lake Louise in Banff and marvel at God's creation. It would be great to spend 2 weeks in Branson and see every show there. Seeing Andrea Bocelli in concert in Italy would be fabulous. How many of you would like to join me in seeking the monster of Loch Ness, not caring if we found it or not?
But the real point is that I want to die with things still
on my bucket list. I always want to have
something fun planned and I want to live life looking forward to the next day,
the next week and the next year.
These things are perfectly reasonable. With the help of the Make-A-Wish-For-Old Guys I can accomplish my dreams. Let's get the word out, there's not much time; I retired in April and there’s lots to do.
These things are perfectly reasonable. With the help of the Make-A-Wish-For-Old Guys I can accomplish my dreams. Let's get the word out, there's not much time; I retired in April and there’s lots to do.
3 comments:
So sorry to hear of your brother's illness, but I understand about being beyond the need for sympathy. I lost my sister Judy to a car accident in 1973 and she was only 19; my sister Kathy to liver disease when she was 62. So glad we have the assurance we'll see them again some day!
I think we should make it a Make-A-Wish-Foundation for old PEOPLE -- I wanna go to all those places, too! :D I took a silly Facebook test and it said one of my flaws is being too curious -- I told Joe I was too curious about the world and wanted to see it all. Too little time and too little money. He likes travel much less than I do, but he still lets me drag him along with me on what little travel we can do. What a sweetie. :)
Take care -- I love reading your blogs...you have such a way with words. Tell Linda we said hello. We loved the Christmas card with your photo that was taken in Scotland. I remembered reading your blog about that when I saw the photo.
Ellen/Ellie
We are going to try to stop by the building site of the Rome and hopefully the Paris temple...does that count?
We are going to try to stop by the building site of the Rome and hopefully the Paris temple...does that count?
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