The Bucket List was a fun movie starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman as two retired guys contemplating the end of their lives. In fact, at the end of the movie Morgan Freeman's character passes away. They meet in the hospital and Jack Nicholson finds Morgan Freeman's "bucket list", things he would like to do before he leaves this earth. They wind up collaborating on a list and set off, around the world, to do all the things on the list.
Today is my 62nd birthday, and no, I'm not terminally ill, nor am I very close to retirement, but... I have been thinking about my "bucket list." (1) For instance, Kathy and I, once we do retire, would love to spend 6 months or a year at the Brooklyn Tabernacle in Brooklyn, New York. We would volunteer to be ushers, or greeters, or hosts, or whatever they wanted or needed. We would love to be immersed in that church environment for an extended time.
(2) In 2001 I had the opportunity to work with a group of people at the Oklahoma City Rescue Mission as they learned how to become a Worship Team. I taught, rehearsed and coached them in their special project just before graduation. Ever since that experience I would love to volunteer some time in a rescue mission or homeless shelter. I think I would even like to spend some time as a homeless shelter resident, (paying, of course) to better understand their situation.
(3) When we lived in Albany, Oregon, my friend, Neal Mapes, taught me how to fish for steelhead. I would love to river fish for steelhead or salmon in Alaska, on the hottest day of the season with a guide who knew exactly where the fish ran.
(4) Many of our vacations have been trips to visit with our relatives. (when you are on a budget, free room and board sometimes dictates what you do on vacation :) )While we stopped at a few spots along the way, we usually had limited time and had to get where we were going and then get home. Kathy and I would love to take a small RV and visit many of the spots around the U.S. that we've never seen, taking our time at each location and enjoying this great country.
(5) When I retire, I will have been a Church Business Administrator for over 25 years. I would love to volunteer my time with small churches who needed administration help, and couldn't afford it. There are retired executives programs where businesses can be matched up with qualified retirees who give them a lot of pro bono help. It would be fun to start something like that for churches.
How about your "bucket list?" Have you started one yet? Have you looked around you to see what great opportunities are open for you to get involved with? Maybe down the road we'll see each other in a homeless shelter, helping out...
No comments:
Post a Comment