[personal|cancer] My bucket list
by
In light of my recent, widely read post titled “Special dying person wisdom” [ jlake.com | LiveJournal ], a friend asked about my bucket list. The funny thing is, I don’t really have one.
In the course of my life I have walked on the Great Wall of China, climbed down into an ancient Greek tomb, seen a lion cub nursery with the sun rising over the shoulder of Kilimanjaro, sat with baby seals, and done a thousand other fascinating things. (I feel like Roy Batty at the end of Bladerunner, talking like this.) I’ve visited about forty countries on five continents. I’ve set foot in all fifty U.S. states. I’ve eaten fabulous meals, loved glorious women, written books and stories that stirred at least a few people, spent long nights talking with close friends, and just of late, edged ever closer to the face of death while still drawing breath.
The things I still wish I could do? i.e., my bucket list? A few personal experiences I don’t care to detail here. Some small things I likely won’t be able to do: see all three movies of The Hobbit. Some large things I likely won’t be able to do: watch the_child
So, yeah. Not so much with the bucket list, simply because I’ve been filling my bucket all my life. If anything, my bucket list is to keep on living. I’ve been lucky and beyond lucky. Even now, not-so-slowly dying, most days I still remember my luck and privilege, and am grateful for them.
I have seen the world, after all, and it is us.
More from my site

1) Roy Batty rocks.
2) But you HAVE been to Hobbiton.
3) A lot of the Middle East is skippable. Just sayin’.
4) Yes, you did all that. More than most of us will get to do. Or choose.
5) Revel in your time, if that’s not to ironic to say.
*too
Oh, thank you for that answer. <3 That was very illuminating and helps me picture not only your opinion on buckets lists but your perspective on the life you have lived and the life you want to have going forward..., such as it is. *hugs*
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Beautiful!
Yeah for filling the bucket all one’s life.
That’s a lot like what my Dad used to say. He’d been a boxer and a merchant marine, traveled all over the world, and made friends everywhere he went.
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My family had a lot of conversation with and about Dad and his non-existent bucket list. As he explained, he’d been to plenty of places. Lived life well. When his terminal dx came he had no regrets. We should all aspire to live life like that. It sounds to me like you have, Jay. And that’s quite something. Dad died on Wednesday. At home, with Mom at his side. Quietly. Peacefully. Quite something.
Just a beautiful post. Why I stay tuned and eagerly await every post you make. Thank you!
I am sorry for his passing, Karen, but it sounds peaceful.
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<3
1) Roy Batty rocks.
2) But you HAVE been to Hobbiton.
3) A lot of the Middle East is skippable. Just sayin’.
4) Yes, you did all that. More than most of us will get to do. Or choose.
5) Revel in your time, if that’s not to ironic to say. https://dev.clockpunkclients.com/jaylake/?p=23090#comment-91881
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None of us knows how we’ll make our exits from this stage. One of the few things we can control is whether we leave filled with regret, with a mental slap on the forehead and wishing we’d played our parts differently, or satisfied with our performance and hoping there’s an encore. I hope for the last.
My bucket list? Live my life for a single day with the dignity and joy and love for and from others that Jay Lake has had for his entire existence. And see Stonehenge.
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I would like to watch c-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhäuser Gate. Seriously, Jay? You want to see the UK, let me know and I’ll put you and child up in London, if you’ll put up with me.
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Yup.
“If anything, my bucket list is to keep on living.” http://t.co/XAbnhJ2JYi #eolchat #dwdchat #cancer
RT @pfanderson: “If anything, my bucket list is to keep on living.” http://t.co/XAbnhJ2JYi #eolchat #dwdchat #cancer
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Great find! RT @pfanderson: “If anything, my bucket list is to keep on living.” http://t.co/Da2pJmDQfZ #eolchat #dwdchat #cancer
[personal|cancer] My bucket list – http://t.co/Gz66TR2ZHr #cancer @jay_lake
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