My butch bucket list

A friend’s husband died a few weeks ago.

We are going to the funeral tomorrow.

I’ve read several versions of the eulogy.

Each time, I’ve been struck by one line.

The man who died was puzzled by the concept of the bucket list.  This was a foreign concept to him, because he lived his bucket list.  As a result, he left this world with no regrets.

I wonder how many of us can say that.

I have always been a late bloomer.  I didn’t come out until my 30s and often regret time lost being young and carefree without a pretty girl or two by my side.

I didn’t start writing creatively until I was in my 40s. I think of all of the blogs and books that I could have written.

But still, I am grateful that I did come out. I feel lucky to have written a book that was published.  I am excited about what the immediate future holds for me as I am challenging myself to tackle things out of my comfort zone like public speaking, mentoring, advocacy and activism.

Today, I am thinking about my bucket list differently. Not as a list of goals to be kept in a drawer and checked off over time but a list of things to do now.  When I am able.  When I still have time.

So, in honor of a friend who knew what was truly important and how to get the most out of life, I’d like to share my bucket list:

Bucket List

• See Fleetwood Mac in concert
• Tailgate (and otherwise party) with my Penn State friends as often as possible
• Write
• Publish
• See The Book of Mormon
• Take W to New Orleans
• Throw out the first pitch at a baseball game
• Go on an Olivia cruise
• Perform as a Drag King
• Take art classes
• Learn how to make really good meatballs
• Go to a strip club
• Learn how to flyfish
• Go to Phillies spring training in Clearwater, Fla.
• Visit the Baseball Hall of Fame
• Get a hot stone massage
• Get a koi tattoo

* * *

What about you?  What’s on your list?