Thirteen things I want to do and see before I die

I'm not being morbid. Well, okay, maybe I am.

But I'm watching my parents lose friends at an alarming rate. I'm watching my parents grow older. Actually they are considered elderly by most standards. It is frightening.

I turn 37 in a few weeks. I'm not old yet. And these are things I want to do before I die.

1) Parent a child.
If you've read this blog for 5 minutes you know this. Moving right along.

2) Publish my novels
Working on that.

3) Talk to a group of high school students as a published author.
When I was in High School Robert Kimmel Smith came to talk to us about writing. He said it was possible. I still believe him.

4) See Venice with my beloved.
I've always wanted to go to Italy. More Venice than Rome. Someday.

5) Speak and meet with my husband's birth family.
Note that he has little to no desire to do this. I on the other hand am curious as hell. I also think they would want to know that he's a good man.

6) Watch my nieces live up to their potential.
I have two amazing nieces by blood and one by love. They are so full of potential, I want to just see it and see what they make of themselves.

7) I'd like to see a woman take the presidential oath of office
This may surprise you, since I am quite the follower of Obama. However I really would like to see it in my lifetime.

8) Take a hens only trip
I'd like to drag one of my best friends and a few other of my best friend for a women only trip. Let the guys rough it for a bit.

9) Learn another language
I have a friend from High School who can speak over 10 languages fluently and he is "medically accurate" in another 8. (He's a doctor, so he does start learning languages with body parts and symptoms.) I envy that gift. I'd love to learn a language.

10) Learn how to play a stringed instrument
Well, I kinda know. I mean I can play the piano and it HAS strings. But I'd like to learn the guitar or the violin, or the cello. When I make up my mind of what I want to learn, I think I might actually go for lessons.

11) Learn Talmud
Talmud is a record of Jewish law. It contains the whys and WTFs of Jewish custom. You can't learn Talmud alone, you can only study it with another person. That's why I haven't learned it yet. I need to find people to study with who won't judge me for marrying a non-Jew.

12) Grow old with My husband.
Will I lose my dignity? Will someone care?
I don't want to outlive him. I want to be one of those old couples who travel during retirement. I want always to have him be the first thing I see when I wake.

13) Die quickly
I know, morbid much? But seriously. I want quick. No lingering Alzheimers or cancer or wasting disease. Quick. Then I will move on to the next great adventure. My grandma said that Death must be so neat because no one comes back to talk about it.

What do you want to do before you die?

Comments

[SandyCarlson]

All of this makes sense to me. These things sound like the ingredients to a meaningful life. God bless.

[Ann Bruce]

Persistence is the key to #2.

And Venice is amazing. When you go, check out the water marks on the buildings. I saw some that were over my head--but I'm five-nothing. The entire city floods regularly.

[Maribeth]

I hope you obtain all of this in your lifetime
Maribeth:)

[The Gal Herself]

#5 and #12 are deeply romantic and I was touched. I hope you accomplish them all! Thanks for visiting my TT.

[Nicholas]

That's a very interesting list. I am in full agreement with you on #13, and I rather hope you'll see #7 in 2009.

[pussreboots]

Good luck with your goals. Happy TT.

[Malcolm]

I sometimes wish that I could play guitar. I'm afraid I just don't have the discipline to learn. One of my brothers has said something similar to your grandma. He said that Death can't be too bad because he's never heard anybody complain about it.

Thanks for stopping by my T13. However, I didn't forget Dar Williams as you suggested. Since I am not all that familiar with her music, she wasn't included. Maybe I'll sample some of her work now. Thanks again for visiting.

[Lori]

Thoughtful list. I'm too afraid to even "go there." After reading your list, I just might reconsider.

[brittany]

I am with you on #'s 1 and 9! Your T13's are always so interesting and thought provoking!

[Dane Bramage]

Here's hoping #7 isn't fulfilled next January. As for #13 I used to think "Live fast; Die young; No regrets". Now that I am within swing distance of my first half century, its more like "Live young; Die fast; and take as many with you when you go". Or maybe not. Here's hoping you see your list fulfilled at the end of a long and fruitful journey.

Oh and thanks for visiting my T13.

[Tasina]

Why do you have to study Talmud with another person? Just curious. Thanks for stopping by.

[Tink]

I can understand most of your list. I'd like to learn to play the harp...
Thanks for visiting my inspiring people TT.

[Xakara]

I'm with you on 11 out of your 13. I already know My Sweetie's birth family and can't say learning the Talmud has felt like a necessity (although given the opportunity I wouldn't turn it down). But with everything else I'm right with you.

Perhaps we can have lunch in Venice. :)

Happy TT and Happy Hunting on all of it.

~X

[Brenda ND]

Super list. I hope you get to do all those things.

[Lori]

What wonderful goals...even dieing quickly. A slow death is not pleasant to experience (im sure) or watch. Im with you on that one. Happy TT and thanks for stopping by.

[Toni]

I can totally relate to many of these. Particularly, meeting my husband's birth family. He was adopted and is very ambivalent about them but, like you, I am "curious as hell".

[MrsLaLa]

Italy was always on my "list" as well. Thankfully I got to go a few years ago (I decided to go, by myself, right before I got married, lol). It was AMAZING - do whatever you have to do to get there...you will never regret it.