Life Lists Responses

Life Lists Responses

From what little I understand about “life lists,” they seem to be a to-do list of sorts. Things I hope to do, be, accomplish, learn, see, or experience. They need not be lofty or foolish, but they can be. They need not be serious or impossible, but they can be. They need not be spiritual or hedonistic, but they can be. Probably, an assortment is best, because life more closely resembles a Whitman’s Sampler than a box of Raisinettes.
Recently I asked my friends and accomplices about their life lists. The responses were every bit a varied as the writers. I promised a full accounting, withholding names to protect the innocent. I also decided to chronicle the responses in two parts. First, I didn’t want this musing to be so long that readers took one look and hit delete. Second, I wanted to give those who meant to reply and haven’t gotten around to it a chance to do so before I finished with the subject. I will save my list for last.
Most of the people who responded had reached middle age without the aid of a list of any kind and a few thought writing one at this point would be futile. Jean, my friend here in Monroe, wrote 1. “Be sure to make no list!” and God bless America. I don’t know if there is some connection or if I mistook her closing for item number 2.
Madeline, another friend from here, figures that “if you haven’t accomplished IT by now, you probably won’t. So forget the lists, pour yourself a good stiff drink and enjoy the time you have left. AMEN.”  
Several friends acknowledged the question but put me off until later. Dannye, who obviously reads classier stuff than I, hopes to get back to me before she “shuffles off this mortal coil.” I realized at that point that things were getting out of hand. She did confess, however, that she had “stumbled through life without even a plan much less goals.”
Judy admitted that she was “still contemplating my course for my life choices so I will have to get back to you later on that one!!! (Seems that I make them up daily as I go along!) At any rate, my life choice currently is to get the Alaskan cruise put together and I think that I am getting very close to getting it done!” Judy is a woman with priorities.
Marianna said that she was “starting back to work on Tuesday.” I have no idea.
Like me, Gwen read about “life lists” and wondered if she should come up with something meaningful. Her daughter’s in-laws are going to Ethiopia but that is apparently a little too meaningful for Gwen. She plans to stick to reading and traveling to places that require fewer shots.  She did admit that my inability to create an exciting list had struck home with her.
My favorite son-in-law finds that his list has been shortened. “I look at my wife and my son and realize that at the top of my personal life list is to be the best husband and the greatest father that I can possibly be. It is funny how being blessed with a child will change your goals.  At one time playing in even one Major League baseball game was a goal of mine.  Now the thought of a game of catch with my little boy in the back yard excites me even more.” I think I will keep him.
Life Lists, Part 2, will be along shortly. I would very much like to hear from those of you who have been desperately trying to think of something inspired since I first mentioned the subject. You won’t be disappointed with the second installment.
Until then.