This weekend we were sitting around talking with friends and
the subject of the “bucket list” came up in the conversation. Seems most of us have one, even if we didn’t
know that’s what it’s called.
As we sat and talked about what we might have missed in life and what we'd like to do before we exit, some of the group had long bucket lists consisting of
things like parachuting out of a plane…visiting the North Pole…climbing a
mountain…meeting a movie star, things
like that. It just brought home how very
lucky I am. I don’t really HAVE a bucket
list!
I have always been so fortunate to have jobs that gave me the
opportunity to see and do things that really put a crimp in my bucket list, I
guess. Working in radio for a zillion
years I met a smattering of famous people…enough of them to know that traveling
around the country (or world) making public appearances and living on the smiles
of strangers is not what I’d like to do. Nope, no bucket listing for fame.
Over the years I became President of the Ohio Association of
Broadcasters, a responsibility that took
me on lobbying trips to Washington. We
kept appointments with Congressmen, dashing from building to building to keep
stay on schedule. I’ve been chewed out
by a high official over the “wardrobe malfunction” that occurred during the
super bowl and the F-bomb thrown at the crowd when Bono grew testy. I’ve attended cocktail parties and receptions
at the Capitol, and then walked around the hill soaking in the history as I
made my way back to the hotel. I had a meeting in the "hide away" below ground that had belonged to John F Kennedy. I rode
the Congressional subway with Ted Kennedy sitting behind me, and watched Hillary
Clinton make a speech while I sat in the balcony and marveled at the fact that
I was actually sitting in the balcony watching Hillary Clinton make a speech. No bucket list there…..
Years ago I had a project, the Richland Carrousel Park,
entrusted to me to bring to completion.
What a wonderful, abstract thing it was to do! It was truly starting from the ground floor,
and I learned a great deal. Every time I
drive through the downtown and hear the tinkling carousel music I think about
the day that organ was installed….the day the center pole was erected….the
grand opening. All the creative ideas,
the open possibilities, just placed in my hands to accomplish. I was so lucky to have that experience, and
it held me in good stead when I returned to broadcast after eighteen months and
moved into managing radio stations. That alone must have taken half a dozen
things off my bucket list.
I’ve ridden elephants and hot air balloons…traveled in
Europe and taken cruises to other exciting places. If I have any bucket list of places to which
I’d like to travel they would be here in this country, but I can pretty much
see everything that I want to from my back door.
My husband and I have raised a beautiful family. We are proud of our children and
grandchildren. We both are happy about
the fact that there’s no one on earth we’d rather spend time with than our own
children. There is absolutely no bucket
list with any family notes on it.
My husband has put up with me, supported me in every crazy
thing I’ve tried, and still loves me. How
did I ever get that lucky? I have no
bucket list when it comes to marriage; I may have kicked a few dents in it but
that bucket is still solid.
And now…after “retiring”….here I am editing a magazine. A new career with a new learning curve
at this stage of life. Heart of Ohio
Magazine is a labor of love for me, and that is also true for Diane Brown
(publisher and owner of Sun Graphics) I
am so glad I said yes when she asked if I’d like to talk over an idea she had. I have no bucket list that says “when I
retire I want to”……I’m in the middle of doing it!
And so, here I am….a woman without a bucket list. To be honest I have lived my life thus far
without any game plan; it’s only fitting that I finish it the same way. And
how can I complain when my bucket runneth over?
LIFE IS GOOD
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