21 Feb 2017 Editor’s Note March ’17: What’s on your bucket list?

This month, 501 LIFE is all about bucket lists – places we would like to see and things we would like to do before the end of our life.

Last fall, in a meeting with one of our editorial boards, a suggestion was made for this theme – what a great idea! We are so thankful for all the members of our boards for their suggestions and feedback.

Our talented contributors had some fun with the theme and delivered some really interesting articles. For the cover story, we issued an invitation to our 501 LIFE Team to share their bucket lists, including items that have already been accomplished. A big thank-you to all of those who rose to the challenge!

Some of the items making the lists came as no big surprise because they are also on my bucket list. My mother and I share a desire to see the Northern Lights. I would also like to see the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in person and take in the beauty of New York City at Christmastime. And then there’s watching the ball drop in Times Square.

In reading the story by 501 LIFE contributor Donna Stephens on Wes Craiglow and his family’s “Traveling Treehouse” (Page 26), I found myself envious of their adventure – what a trip of a lifetime! I’m sure many a bucket list item would’ve been crossed off on that trek.

Another item on my bucket list is to visit all 50 states, which both of my parents have already accomplished. With Dad serving in the Navy, we moved around some and I already have a pretty good start.

With that item in mind, I was intrigued when our 501 LIFE friend Glenn Crockett shared that his bucket list has 50 parts. He wants to fish in all 50 states (Page 40). Now, mind you, he doesn’t have to catch anything, just cast a line in a body of water in hopes of snagging a fish. What a neat idea! Already he has some funny stories to tell about his quest.

Recently, my sister gave copies of a book titled “My Ultimate Bucket List” to my parents, siblings and me. It lists 300 suggested items, with a space to record everything about the event. There are also extra pages to write your own items.

While I love the idea behind the book, there are some pages that will probably remain blank in mine, like No. 285 – “Swim with Sharks”; No. 246 – “Learn How to Surf and Go Surfing”; No. 168 – “Bungee Jump”; and No. 88 – “Swing from a Trapeze.” While there was a time when skydiving was on my list, that idea has also lost its wonder as I have aged.

Perhaps some of our 501 LIFE readers would like to take a photo with a copy of the magazine as they accomplish their bucket list items?

While I’m enjoying the book and look forward to filling in some of the blanks, I realize that real joy and happiness are found in the journey and those along for the ride as we “love life” in pursuit of those places and experiences we find interesting and fascinating.

Until next month, here’s to “Loving LIFE” in the 501.

Sonja J. Keith

Editor/Owner