WESTSIDE — The new buzz phrase is "bucket list." I think it means things you want to do before you kick the bucket.
Well, I can’t think of anything I want to do that I haven’t already done. I’ve lived a pretty full life. I’ve traveled most of the states from Florida to Alaska, and many foreign countries. I’ve enjoyed attending family reunions and becoming good friends with my six sisters. I worked at many jobs … made good money at some places, not so much in other jobs. I’ve made great friends and been a part of wonderful churches. I’ve raised three kids and am quite pleased at the adults they’ve become. Now I get to enjoy my granddaughter and grandson. My husband and I will celebrate our 60th wedding anniversary next year.
The other day we were watching a show on television about the pyramids in Egypt. Jerry said, "I’d like to go there." Lounging on the couch, I replied, "Yeah, that would be nice." But I’m really quite content to let the past satisfy me.
A few years ago, I wrote an article about the "Firsts" I had accomplished after turning 40. At that age you’re young enough to enjoy life but old enough to have some wisdom. These are some of the things I wrote: "Retired from a 9 to 5 job (so I could do only those things I love to do); Wrote a book (my mother was 69 when she published a book about her childhood in Nebraska); Began writing articles and selling them (I sold my first article for $5); Joined writing clubs; Attended writing seminars and conferences; Became a newspaper guest columnist; Reluctantly exchanged my typewriter for a computer word processor; Learned to use email and Internet on my computer; Joined a recovery group to deal with pains from my childhood (not many grandmothers join these groups, I discovered.The older you get the harder it is to deal with change, especially within ourselves.); Began teaching women in churches and conducting seminars; Became a lay counselor; Led support groups; Traced down childhood friends who I’d lost contact with 45 years before and visited them in New Jersey; Helped my family plan annual family reunions (one year all 12 of us siblings attended); Began going to family funerals (yes, there were some sad times); Attended a son’s seminary graduation; Went to my children’s weddings; Held my first granddaughter and grandson (became a wonderful grandmother); Read War and Peace (just kidding)." During this time I visited many places - New York City, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Atlanta, Honolulu, Las Vegas and numerous other towns and cities. I traveled out of the country to Israel, Greece, Jordan, Brazil, England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and Canada. I started traveling with my husband in our motor home, and we made many trips to Alaska. We’ve gone to Branson and Silver Dollar City numerous times. I’ve met celebrities and other interesting people. It was about this time I began having yearlycheckups and mammograms.
It wasn’t until I made my list that I realized how interesting and fun life has been. Turning 40 truly did usher in the best times of my life.
It’s been a long time since I turned 40. Now, I’m at the age where doing nothing is heavenly. I do a lot of loafing.
Marie Putman is a former Gravette resident and regular contributor to the Westside Eagle Observer.
School News, Pages 7 on 08/10/2011