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My Bucket List Officially Begins


Life happens. And then it doesn’t. In the past few days, I have  spent some time today thinking about when it doesn’t happen any more. The tenth anniversary of 9/11 approaches and with it plans for remembrance. Invisible Children is coming to my school to share their story with my students. So many lives ended much too young.  Loved ones making the ‘C’ word become a reality. And then, my mind goes back to living in the moment. Mostly, the pure joy of living every minute are given. And then I start to ask myself: What am I doing with my life? Am I making it count? What am I doing to better the world? What do I want to do before I die?

I keep talking about things I want to do, but I have never put pen to paper. Some of the goals I have set along the way have been attained. Others will be a life–long process. And still there are goals yet to be begun. Here it is (in no particular order) with room to grow. My ‘To Do’ list of life:

Finish college on the Dean’s List
Get my Masters
Get married
Go to Africa
Run a 5K
Get a tattoo
Go visit Esther in Uganda
Get my motorcycle license
Take Tony on a cruise through Alaska to see the Northern Lights
Instill in my children the importance of doing what you love
Get my National Board Teaching Certification
Make a difference in someone’s life
Go to all seven continents
Always be kind
See U2 in concert
Always take advantage of opportunities that come my way
Go visit all my facebook friends
Go sky-diving
Go on a zipline
Take my mother to Poland
Learn how to play the piano
Keep the Goodwill Cards, regardless of how many students I have
Work out five days a week
Enjoy my 50th birthday on the beach with many women who know how to laugh and aren’t 
       afraid to look silly
Keep adding to this list

Comments

  1. oh Mandie you have only started your list--I can see it getting bigger. I am sure you will find the time and energy to do it all. You remind me of your mother--she does so much and wants to do so much more. I am sure both of you will do all you want to do. love you and miss you. So glad I have met your Mom and we are doing some things togather.

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