Bucket List by Robin

This is my caretaking week.  Not that other weeks aren’t.  But, I feel a bit consumed by it at the moment.

My senior dad is seeing his pain doctor yet again and calling his internist later this week, seeking medical clearance for a surgery that I am hugely against. I pray he doesn’t get it, though I feel for his desire to put a band-aid on his discomfort.  I’m just a fan of exploring non-surgical approaches…..especially given his age.

We are taking my pet cockatiel Smokey to the vet, for the first time, for a check-up, since we have some concern.  I’m anxious about it.

In the last week, I learned of the passing of a vibrant parent trainer who I knew, and a mom friend was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer that is treatable but not curable.

I hate to be depressing, but all this stuff has been weighing on my mind.

Life is fragile, and I want to enjoy and live with purpose.

I’m not someone who dwells on mortality.  But, it does seem to be a bit of a buzz topic these days.

President Bill Clinton, 63, has been promoting his Bucket List (what he wants to do before he dies), including climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro.  He’s getting press because Chelsea, his daughter, is soon to be wed.  And, it’s leading to lots of chatter on various talk shows and even news programs.  Newscasters reporting on it and discussing whether they have a bucket list and when is it  too young to create one?

Is it really morbid or smart to formally commit to paper a list of your life goals, one of the newscasters asked?

It got me thinking.

I don’t have a defined bucket list.  One of my items was to visit the Greek Islands, and we do have that planned, so I’m grateful.

Other than that, I’d like to write a play one day that gets produced…though I’m totally procrastinating on that one.

What else?  I don’t know.  Should I know?   It bothers me that I’m not clear.  I think part of my uncertainty has to do with becoming a mom.

Before that, I knew who I was professionally.  I was a former VP with a public relations firm in NYC.  Then, I went on to become a sole practitioner with a successful PR home-based business.  Then, I turned my attention to writing dating books and working as a love coach for singles (which I still do).  Then, I launched motherhoodlater.com, out of personal need, and that currently takes much of my time and attention.  It feels good, but is that what I’m destined to focus on forever?  I often ask that question.

I’m contemplating writing other books.

I’m contemplating seeking out a part time job.

I’m contemplating doing more PR, on a select basis.

I do a lot of thinking about things and don’t always take immediate action.  Yet, I am a type A.  So, part of me believes that I would move fullforce ahead if I was truly committed.  But, I also know that I’m someone who has a tendency to get overwhelmed at the notion of something that feels big and important. I do better at knocking things off my to list that are quickies.

I feel like I’m not entirely certain what I want to be when I grow up.  But, I’m already grown.

I’ve spoken to a psychic.  Have done sessions with coaches (life/business).

I’ve tried to explore.

A mom I know recently completed a triathalon.  No doubt that was on her Bucket List, and I bet it felt good!

I don’t have the desire for that, though my Bucket List does include learning how to swim laps, and I’m ardently working on it this summer.

I guess I’m just curious about how it feels for other later moms who once had a career and they’ve now put it aside for parenting.

Do you have a bucket list, and if so, what’s on it?