Life Happens

I don't have a bucket list. I've never been the five-year plan type. I don't like to make lists. Whenever I put something down on paper, it means I have to do it. I don't like anyone telling me what to do, even if it's me. It's a wonder I get anything done.

Really, much of my life has been guided by the John Lennon truism, "Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans". When I'm 80 and sitting on a rocking chair, I think I will remember the things that kind of just happened to me.

I didn't plan on marrying my husband six months after I met him. I didn't plan on waiting to have my daughter until I was 44. I believe that these things happened by the grace of God.

Bucket lists always include travel. My most memorable trip was a complete fluke. An acquaintance told me she was going to Ecuador for her cousin's wedding. I said, "Wow, I'd love to go to Ecuador." She said, "Wanna come?" So I went.

The day of the wedding, a gaggle of family matriarchs were eyeing me up and down, and talking in Spanish.

Two minutes later, I was a bridesmaid.

Someone explained to me in English that one of the bridesmaids forgot to show up. I was rather unceremoniously packed into a maroon bridesmaid's dress that was two sizes too small, while another more anticipated bridesmaid was having her dress hemmed with duct tape.The Roman Catholic priest conducted the service entirely in Spanish, a language of which my knowledge is sketchy. Everyone stood up, sat down, stood up again. I remained a beat behind, with no clue what was going on. The reception hall was sandwiched between a circus on one side and an auto body shop on the other.

I wish I could share some of the pictures from the wedding with you, but they are all packed away somewhere. Most of them show me laughing hysterically at how surreal the experience was.

I could go on. Ecuador blew my mind. The people took non-planning to a level that made me uncomfortable. I marveled at their genius ability to roll with life, and have fun no matter what the circumstance. The trip was a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget. The country of Ecuador is beautiful, it's people welcoming, it's food divine.

So in honor of my husband, my child and a trip to Ecuador, my bucket list includes:

1) Seeing where life takes me.

2) Striving to teach my daughter, Claire, to appreciate where life takes her.

3) Inviting anyone else who would like to join in to come along for the ride.

There's an unofficial #4 to add to this bucket list: I am finally linking up with Finish the Sentence Friday, something I have been wanting to do for awhile. I am so happy that I've been able to get over writer's block and write off the prompt "My Bucket List Includes" (even though I kinda wrote a non-Bucket List). Big thanks to one of the FTSF hostesses, Stephanie, for encouraging me to contribute a post.

And in the spirit of things not always working the way you planned, I cannot figure how to paste the FTSF button. So...if you would like to join the Finish the Sentence Friday Party, allow me to introduce you to your lovely hostesses:

Stephanie, Mommy for Real

Janine, Confessions of a Mommyaholic

Kate, Can I GetAnother Bottle of Whine

Dawn, Dawn's Disaster


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Photo Source: Garrett-btm, Deviant Art