Do you have a bucket list? I'm not sure that I really do. But if you wanna call it that, I guess I took a big ole chunk off my bucket list this summer when my youngest son, Zack, and I took an amazing trip to Hawaii.
Speaking of Hawaii, have you ever been there? Oh my! This trip was more than a dream come true. I suppose we each had small bucket lists within the big bucket lists that took us there in the first place. Flying in over a rainbow, greeted by friends with traditional Hawaiian leis, waking up each morning to Waikiki Beach, a walk on the North Shore as sea turtles poked their heads up out of the water.
Should I continue? Ok so really fast. Dole Pineapple Plantation, 'Elvis has been here' in our hotel! Spending my birthday walking up Waikiki Beach and then enjoying the best luau on the island from the best seats right up by the stage! (I even volunteered to get on stage and hula!) Hiking Diamond Head---well that was not a part of my bucket list but I'm very glad we did it. I've got the pictures and t-shirt to prove it!
A submarine ride. Sunsets and fireworks. Beautiful beaches. And, of course, Pearl Harbor. Oh boy, am I ever ready to go back!
But back to that bucket list. I would have to say that I could call my list all but completely checked off just because I finally got to take this trip. It has been a goal of mine for many, many years. Pretty much everything else on my list are things that I don't really have control over. You know, like becoming a grandma. That kind of thing.
So while I wait for others to take care of that portion of my list, I am just having the best time getting to know my kids all over again as adults. Did it tell you that four of them have now graduated college and one completed grad school? Yep, I'm pretty proud of them! As a mom, having healthy, happy, well rounded kids who know Jesus is the best thing you could ever have fulfilled on your bucket list.
I will say there are a few tiny itty bitty things that I would like to do though. Most of them involve being brave. That and having the opportunity. After all I've come through the last several years, one would think I wouldn't be afraid of anything. But there are still a few things I wanna do that I just haven't quite gotten up the nerve to do.
One of those things is something I've attempted to do many times. But I just don't have the guts. And that's wear bright lipstick. So. If we could count this as my final request, can I please be buried in red lipstick? Well, maybe not buried because I prefer that my earthly remains be taken care of in a different manner. But, if my kids decide to have a viewing once I'm gone, I would like to have my hair done really nicely, my nails done, makeup on, and especially bright red lipstick. Not like a clown of course. But like a classy lady. Shinny red please. I've never had the guts to wear it, even though I've started to several times.
Just think of the conversations it will start! You know how people talk about the dearly departed and how 'good' they look as they lay there in the casket and people walk by gawking at them. Imagine what they will say when they see my bright red lipstick!
Anyway, I guess that just about covers it. Hawaii, check. Kids grown up and living happy successful lives, check. Being buried in red lipstick, we can wait a while on that one. But try to remember for me. Okay?
