My Bucket List

A few months ago, I was sitting in a meeting.  I had had a particularly hard day, and had decided that I was not going to go.  I really didn't want to talk to anybody.  I wanted to stay home. I was doing dishes and was talking to my handsome husband and my children.  They reminded me that I always went and supported these meetings.  I looked at their faces and knew that I should be going, I was setting an example for my girls.  I went and put on a head scarf, some fun lipstick, and out the door I went.  

As I walked into the meeting a few minutes late,  we were told to move to the two rows of chairs that were facing each other.  After we were sitting in the chairs that were facing each other, we were given a list of questions to ask the person sitting across from us.  It was a classic "get to know you" game.  I really wanted to bolt....people already knew who I was.  I didn't want to share anything.  I felt vulnerable that night.  

As they started asking me questions, they were the typical get to know you questions.  I thought to myself, get a grip....they just want to know what your favorite food, hobby, author, etc. is.   I was asked what my favorite food was.  First of all, it depends what day in my chemotherapy cycle it is to know what my favorite food was. I happened to have just had chemo. I believe I said cereal.  My staple after chemotherapy.  If I get some raspberries, or blueberries in it, I am pretty sure it is a healthy meal.  I was then asked about my hobbies..... I really don't have any. Is having chemotherapy and recovering a hobby? I sure hope so.  I have four beautiful redhead hobbies which I am thankful for.  The dark headed handsome guy who runs in and out of the house I love that hobby too.  I do like to read and bake but sometimes just keeping up with my to do list is all I have energy for.

I was feeling like this isn't so bad, I was starting to relax and enjoy talking to those who were there.  Then the question came....... What is on your bucket list?  I hadn't thought about it too much.  My first reaction was I want to go to Hawaii with my family.  This Summer I was able to go to Hawaii with my mom and my sister.  It was lovely, relaxing, and rejuvenating.  As I looked over the beautiful ocean and the majestic skies as the sun went down each night over the horizon of the ocean, I knew that I wanted to see Paul's and my children's faces as they watched the beautiful sunsets while playing in the ocean with sand between their toes.  It would be a very fun, relaxing trip for a family that has been dancing their way through breast cancer for 6 years. Some of those dances are lovely and smooth and some of those dances we are stepping on each others feet, and feeling like we don't want to dance anymore.

What is on my bucket list?  I want to see my children become who they are meant to be, I want to make sure we teach them the Gospel, that they may have strong testimonies and strong desires to choose what is right, that we may be all together for all eternity. I want them to know that Heavenly Father knows and loves them and answers prayers, I want them to be aware of the many miracles we have seen and continue to see.  I have been sent such valiant and amazing children with such strong spirits.  I am thankful for that gift I've been given.  I want to watch them when their eyes sparkle when all their dreams come true. 

I am going to keep the hope of seeing their faces as the sun sets across the sparkling blue ocean as waves wash in with the tide.