The Start Of His Bucket List

He watched a movie with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman back in 2007, called The Bucket List. He enjoyed it but wasn't really into the idea of going off and completing a list of things that he wanted to do before he died. Maybe it was his age and he was not feeling it. Because he did enjoy the movie as Jack Nicholson has been one of his all time favorites in movies and always seems to come through, no matter the movie. He decided it was a good movie and one apparently he hadn't forgotten!

At his age now, he can see the value in a bucket list of sorts. I think there are a few things that he may want to do before he dies. But please do not hold him to it. His rough list is as follows:

1) Celebrate getting to age 100. Just kidding. Celebrate 50 years of sobriety. That will take him until 2030. That sounds like forever but he won't be 100! And all he has to do is not drink alcohol or take drugs that would interrupt his recovery. Oh, and he has to live that long!

2) Write and publish a book of fiction, that people will actually read, and finish the drafts he has self published and never finished. He is currently working on writing fiction. He has to say he is not good at fiction yet. He has not given up though. Then once he has a completed book of fiction, he will make the connections and have it published or self-publish. He believes his drafts are each fixable.

3) Remember how important family and friends are. Stay in touch. Spend time with them. During the pandemic, it has been difficult to do and still he keeps that on his mind and on his agenda. He knows he can do better. Call them up just to laugh. He can do that!

4) Continue to help others in recovery, for as long as he lives and is able. Sponsoring others, care about the newcomers and do what he does best.

5) Travel with others that would like him to go along with them. Put a travel budget together for himself, and use it for that.

6) Live happy, joyous and free. Shoot for everyday and it could happen most days right?

7) Love the wife and do the best to care for her in her old age, as 2 wives are enough, and he would like her to outlive him. Laugh together every day. Greet her like she is the sun. Spend time each day talking and doing something together. Cook for her when she wants him to. Invite her to ride motorcycle, 4 wheeler and snowmobile with him. Camp together. Visit her family and friends whenever he can with her. Love her.

8) Continue to build on his spiritual program. Pray. Invite God in and Thank God.

9) Be kind, compassionate and loving to all and especially to their family and friends. Take more time with everyone.

10) Remember a gratitude list daily or 4 times a week for sure.

11) Take inventory and leave others alone. When too focused on others, that is not taking daily inventory. He needs a meeting.

12) He is retired and needs just enough to be comfortable. He needs to pay his bills and have just enough extra to treat himself and others on occasion.

Twelve is how many chapters that he puts in his books. Twelve is his favorite number right now. And twelve is probably too much for a bucket list. Many of the things on his list, he attempts to do most days. So if it is something that is longer term, keeping him here, he would have to say 1, 2, 4, 5, and 8! He is paying regular attention to 3, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, and 12, even though it isn't always easy!

This is the start of his bucket list and if he is honest, it is just a start. After reading it he may have to change some things. And really is that all he wants to do before he dies? Okay, it is good for right now. And he is back to writing more fiction!