The Bucket List Remedy

New Bern, NC

Dave and I are booked to go skydiving on Sunday. (Don't worry, I'll blog about it.)  When the word got out, the most common comment I got from friends was, "Is that on your bucket list."   I find that offensive and insulting.  I'll explain why.

Libby and I are already living the dream.  We have been doing so for nearly 10 years now.  Few people in real life are as lucky as we.   If I were to die tomorrow, I would have no regrets.  Given those circumstances, I have no need for a bucket list.   But when I tell people that, they react as if I should be an object of pity, wallowing in depression and lethargy.  They believe in the poster above, and forget that the choice is not binary; bucket list or fear, but that there are other possibilities.

So, what do I do when Libby raises the subject of bucket lists?  (Here's a secret of a long and happy marriage people.)  I would never tell Libby to her face that she was offensive and insulting; no matter what.   Yet without harsh words, I did something that guarantees that she will never raise the subject of bucket lists ever again.  So what did I do?   The answer is highly amusing, but I can't post it here on the blog because our grandkids read this blog.  If you would like the answer, send me an email, and I'll send the answer back.