Bucket Lists

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Lisa Moran on June 6, 2023.  As a cherished member of LungCancer.net and a source of inspiration, Lisa generously and bravely shared her journey, touching and inspiring many in our community. Her courage fuels our mission, and her legacy will endure in our work. Her absence will be deeply felt, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to all who held her dear. We consider it a privilege that Lisa allowed us into her life, leaving an indelible mark on our hearts and our community.

I've never cared for the idea of a bucket list. How I understand the conventional bucket list, it seems morbid to cross items off your list with the final items to cross off being dying and death. You fill a bucket with the things you always wanted to do and places you always wanted to go. As you accomplish one of your goals or travel to one of your dream destinations, you remove that item from the bucket. When your bucket is empty, you can die without regrets. Therefore, kick the bucket.

Hunter S Thompson said it best

I can relate more to the idea of living and dying in a quote by Hunter S. Thompson, "Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'Wow! What a ride!'." The person in that quote doesn’t sound like someone with any regrets.

How I use my bucket list

I do use the term bucket list. However, I use it more as an adjective instead of a noun or actual to-do list. My bucket list consists of items and moments that bring me great joy. These are experiences and things that warm my heart and improve my quality of life.

I have experienced a number of unforgettable and amazing bucket list types of moments in my lifetime. Some were unintentional; the moon and stars were aligned and I was in the right place at the right time. Some moments have included strategic planning and preparation.

Approximately six months after my initial lung cancer diagnosis, I took a bucket list trip in 2016. It was to the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender. After my stroke and cheating death, again, I attended in 2018. I had tentative plans to attend this year prior to the pandemic and virtually every concert, festival, and gathering in the world being canceled.

A bucket list comes to life

I've been daydreaming of adding a classic vehicle to my bucket list. For years, I've wishfully perused the Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist classified ads. I made sacrifices to save every dime to make my dream a reality.

As of the last week of May, I'm the proud owner of a 1960 Ford Thunderbird. It will need a couple of repairs before it's safe to drive. These things will be completed way before next year's car show and cruise season with, hopefully, fewer restrictions on events, social gatherings, and distancing.

Arriving in style

I could have gone with the norm and named my car Betsy. But Birdie seems more appropriate for a T-bird. She's not in perfect condition. But she's perfect for me.

I'll enjoy every moment I can in that car. It'll be my daily driver. I will arrive at my medical appointments and run errands through town in chrome grille and tail-fin style. Look out, Colorado Springs. Birdie and I will be flying down your streets soon.