Before I die…

This week I heard about some young Canadian guys who are making the journey of a lifetime to accomplish things on their list, "100 things to do before I die." http://www.theburiedlife.com/

As is generationally appropriate, their quest is being captured digitally for all the world to see. They are thoughtful guys, and although the list includes thrill-seeking, many items have to do with serving others.

These guys are in their twenties. They seeking the dreams of life now rather than waiting until they can afford them, or until they reach a time when society approves of quixotic jousts. I can imagine that their parents are slightly terrified that their progeny live without money, but they must be equally proud of the thoughtful nature of the mission. I'm sure that this has provided the occasion for much soul searching, not only for the participants, but for their families, and the people they encounter along the way.

Of course I started to wonder about my own list. Are there 100 things I still need to do before I die? Perhaps I should count backwards- counting not only the things I have pursued, but also the things that I have experienced that I didn't expect. Whenever I remember these things, it's much easier to deal with the day-to-day, repetitive routine of life. Here are the top ten things I have done or seen, that a little girl in Montana wasn't able to fathom:

1. Traveled to Europe, the Middle East, Western Soviet Union, Canada, Mexico, and to 45 States in America the Beautiful
   
2. Watched the sunrise over the Sea of Galilee as I sat alone on the shore.
   
3. Attended Swan Lake at the Kremlin Theatre
   
4. Saw a moonbow on the Island of Hawaii and Brocken's Spectre on Maui
   
5. Got caught trying to take Bibles into the Soviet Union
   
6. Savored Spaghetti ala Carbonara in Rome, and Souvlaki from street vendors in Athens
   
7. Saw Pope Paul VI in St. Peter's Square
   
8. Gave money to a stranger who didn't ask for it (I always say that giving away money is the most fun you can have with your clothes on)
   
9. Became a newspaper columnist
   
10. Held my dad's hand while he died
    
    

Now how about ten things to do before I die? I have tried to think of things that are not dependent on others, like becoming a grandmother. That's not in my power to accomplish. Here are the first things that came to my mind:

1. Be present for the birth of a baby
   
2. See Alaska, Australia, and Ireland, and visit New Brunswick where my Kelly great grandparents were born
   
3. Go to Italy with Lenny to visit his family
   
4. Spend another summer in Yellowstone
   
5. Give away more money
   
6. Write a novel and have it published
   
7. Win an award
   
8. Meet my sons' birth parents
   
9. Retrace the path of a trip Lenny and I took, down the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, along the Gulf of Mexico, and up the East Coast of the U.S.A.with a group of other kids in 1975 (We fell in love along the way)
   
10. Dance a waltz wearing a chiffon dress
    
    

In some ways, this exercise has made me feel as if I am at the fulcrum of my life. I can look back to see that I have had 55 years of great experiences, and I look forward to many more adventures. Of course there are personal and spiritual goals I have set for myself that are on a list tucked away in my heart. As the world becomes more and more unbalanced, the future adventure might be staying alive, and helping to keep others alive. But I hope there is time for some dreams as well.