Ever sung a melody

On a stage you couldn't see

Ever saw the curtains part

Finding that you couldn't breath

Here is one I've yet to start

Lifted up to heavens high

Past the wind and past the sky

Climbing up to where I see

Where the sun will pass us by

There's a place I've yet to be

Across the waves of Scotland bay

Climb the rocks before the day

As the sun breaks o'er the hills

I linger 'fore I'm torn away

For this hour I'm longing still

Ever known a lover's heart

Confided in the deepest part

Beneath the stage do words descend

To bring our days a noble start

This I want before the end

Adventure’s here below;

A list before I kick it

Wishes ’fore I go

The proverbial life’s bucket:

See the Eiffel Tower

Walk beaches on an isle

Kiss in a rain shower

A fifteen minute mile

Sleep a seaside shanty

Or house built in a tree

Drive across the country

Travel on the sea

This is just a list

Made up on the spot

My true desire’s this

Before I die, I’ve sought:

To empty all, as pressed

Giving of myself

Every ounce of love, expressed

My wine upon the shelf

In hearts of those I’ve known

And even strangers, too

Words, my heart, seeds sown

Even, somehow, touching you

I’m nervous but ecstatic. I can’t seem to hold still. My leg bobs up and down as I sit in this chair listening to the final instructions. There are so many details! I try to be like a sponge and soak up everything. What if I forget something? Could it possibly be life threatening if I do? No, of course not; I’ll be safe and everything will go well. But what if... Nah girl, chill. Besides, a couple of your absolute best friends are here, and they’re not any smarter than you. You can help each other. Oh yeah. Okay! Now pay attention!

I’m putting on the equipment and this is getting real. I look around and I can’t think of anyone more fantastic to be jumping out of an airplane with. Finally, it’s time. Take off is exhillarating! Kind of like the flight to this gorgeous island, but without the crouded, noisy atmosphere. This atmosphere is soaked in purpose; anticipation; determination.

The guy is standing by the opening I’m about to hurl myself from. Well, not hurl. He’s reminding me exactly what to do. I’m confident. Well, now I’m looking out from the opening, and am suddenly not sure. Every cell in my body is screaming that I should not do this thing! But I have always wanted to! Also, I paid enough for it...

I say a prayer in my head as the man tells me it’s time. I can’t. I will though!

I am falling. Nothing beneath me. Am I screaming? Whooping? I’m not sure what I am doing. My eyes are streaming though! I try to forget the nothing feeling in my limbs and look around at the beautiful lush green island and clear blue sea below me.

Everything I learned comes again to my mind. I know exactly what to do to land safely.

Reveling in this feeling, I feel. I did it!! How long have I dreamed about this?! Thank you universe and island and creator! Everything came together!

I definitely whoop as I land. What a great day!

″

Skydiving in Hawaii

Live completely

Love completely

Laugh for real.

Have solid and earnest interactions

Learn from mistakes

Fill my bucket to the brim,

Oh, the lives I’ve wished to live!

Someday I’ll go back to Rome, for a good long while.

I’ll walk the ruins of Ostia Antica again.

And stare out upon the Mediterranean Sea

--but knowing this time that I shall almost certainly never see it again.

I will peacefully resign myself to this.

I’ll dance gaily and look out over the lavender field in Poland that I’ve dreamt of since the day I first heard of it.

And I will sit on a silent porch with my dear Polish friend and sing together once more the sacred songs which reverberate in hearts like the lulling twang of her harp strings.

I'll visit the monasteries of Europe,

and hear the bells peal their captivating song of love.

I will go on a thirty day silent retreat, and oh, how I will cherish it.

I'll make flower crowns in May and crown every Mother's statue.

And I'll learn to flip and cartwheel, just so that I can express the joy in my heart as I walk down the streets toward my home.

Yes, I'll cartwheel and flip down the streets when my heart is full, rain or shine.

I'll dance down in the grassy baseball fields by the creek.

I will go star-gazing all night in the mountains and watch the sunrise in the morning.

I'll walk the quiet country lanes at night with my beloved, both on a clear night with the stars and on a rainy night under an umbrella.

And I'll go through his bucket list with him, like he will with mine.

I’ll go back home and try every single one of the teas in my favorite tea shop.

“Would you like an adventure now, or would you like to have your tea first?”

-Peter Pan

I will see that sign as I have tea with my best friend.

And it will not mock me. Because life itself is a very grand adventure.

I'll visit my sister's grave and bring flowers to put there, and then sit a while.

I will keep practicing guitar and learn to play well.

And I'll teach my children how to sing in harmonies, and we'll sing often.

And laugh. We will laugh often.

I will love, and love well.

And my love will never run out of breath

and so never stop to breathe

until I've no life left.

There shall be overflow!

Fill my bucket to the brim,

Oh, the love I have to give,

Oh, the life that I have to live!