Before I kick the bucket…

Think of all the horrible things that have happened to you to date. Now, imagine all of those things happening within the course of a year. You might, just might, be close to understanding what my friend has gone through this past year.

I didn’t know Katie two months ago, but I feel like I’ve known her forever. She is 20 years old, gorgeous inside and out, and one of the funniest, most entertaining people I have ever met. She has a crass, sarcastic side that I adore. She is real, and she is always so interesting to talk to.

She asked me to help her tell her story of the nightmarish journey she took that finally ended with her learning she has Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma this past January. I truly encourage you to read her incredible story and see for yourself what Katie has been up against and pulled through, and what she continues to deal with.

This week, Katie wrote a blog about making a Bucket List and encouraged her readers to come up with their own list and share it with her. I love this idea. Why should you have to be close to death or have gone through an enormous scare to create a list of things you want to accomplish? Why not write one when you’re healthy and all is well in your world?

So, as per Katie’s request, here is my bucket list. I hope you’ll consider writing one as well and leave a comment on Katie’s blog about it!


Lindsay’s Bucket List

  • Backpack through Europe


I’m talkin’ roughin’ it. None of this five-star hotel mumbo-jumbo. I mean, living in hostels, dining on baguettes and meat for lunches in some random field, crapping in a hole in the ground and bringing along your own TP. I want to learn the languages, talk to the people, go to their churches, play with their kiddos. I want to experience the cultures, drink the wines and beers, and get lost on the subways. I want to come home truly appreciating having Starbucks down the street and reliable plumbing down the hall.

  • Run a half-marathon

I am not a runner. Clint loves running, but I have never been very interested. (I blame it on my early blooming bod. Bouncy boobs in 5th grade is enough to 

scar anyone from running for life.) I have biked the Seattle To Portland twice, which I loved and want to do again, but biking is so simple compared to running. I feel like running takes much more mental pushing to accomplish.

  • Own a bed frame

Seriously. Our bed is sitting on the floor of our room, where it has been since we bought the dog-gone mattress the day Lily was conceived (funny story, the reason I know when Lily was conceived… I’ll have to fill you in sometime). Now, I know you’re thinking, “Metal frames cost hardly anything, silly Lindsay.” I hate- no- despise metal frames. Metal frames and my clutzy feet do not go well together. Without fail, I always kick the dang legs. OUCH. No, I want a pretty bed frame. A dark wood one. Simple, not huge, not extravagant. So, before I die, I want a bed framed bed. I don’t think that’s so much to ask…

  • Meet Ellen DeGeneres

Simply, I think she’s funny and I think we could kick back and make each other laugh a bit. None of this “Oooh, can I please have your autograph?” No, “Oh. My. Gosh. You are my favorite person ever!” No crazy fan behavior, period.

And I wouldn’t act like her crazed fan, either.
(Ba-dum-chhh!)

  • Write a Screenplay

I have been told, on more than one occasion, that my stories would make great screenplays. Screenplays intimidate me. I mean, all dialogue and little narrative? What would I do?! Fortunately, my NYU film school brother could help me out, I think. (Right, C. Scott Johnsen?)

  • Become A Foster Mom

We have our application in to become foster parents. We’re especially hoping for babies, since we have all the baby gear anyway and should begin fostering next month.

Please tell me you don’t believe we’d be that nuts…

Seriously, though, I have a tug on my heart for fostering or foster-to-adopt. It definitely wouldn’t be until our kids are much older, and maybe even out of the house, but I would like to somehow be involved in the foster program. The thought of kids being passed from place to place, the hurt they’ve seen and experienced, the crud they’ve been through, it just breaks my heart.

One of my best friends and her husband have fostered several children and adopted two wonderful little girls in the process. They have really sparked my awareness of the fostering program and the difficulties and joys that come from being a foster parent. Two other friends have adopted their children and I think it’s simply one of the coolest, most powerful things on this earth.

  • Have a New York Times Bestseller

I don’t need to be JK Rowling. I don’t need to hang out with Oprah and tell her all about my book and the inspiration behind it. But, I would love to see it reaching lots of people.

Which reminds me, I should probably get back to working on that book, since I’m fairly certain that incomplete books generally don’t make print, let alone the Times.

So, there’s my list. Oddly enough, one of my stories in Elements of Time is centered around a bucket list. (P.S. There’s a twist at the end!) I hope you’ll pick up a copy and see for yourself.

(And if you do pick up a copy
, it would be completely acceptable if you go crazy fan on me and ask for my autograph. Matter of fact, you can tell me I’m you’re favorite person ever too. I’m totally cool with that.)

Photo Credit: Writing by Mattox, Florence5 by solorya, Woman Jogging Blur by arinas74, Together1 by Eastop
Source: sxc.hu

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