Time for bucket list?

We’ve been talking here in the newsroom about what we should be doing today if we believed the world was going to end on Saturday, May 21, 2011.

Some humorous ideas came to mind, of course.

For instance, one of my coworkers wondered aloud what she should wear for this occasion.

But on a more serious note, we wondered what we would put on the ultimate bucket list.

Here’s my list. Warning, for the cynics out there: It’s sentimental … but then I’m sentimental.

If the world is ending tomorrow, I need to:

1. Put aside old (and some new) grudges and forgive. Read The Oklahoman’s May 21 Life section  for a story about someone who is grateful to have forgiven another person for the most heinous of crimes. Having experienced the power of forgiveness firsthand, I’m not sure why I let unforgiveness build up in areas of my life. Fortunately, I have learned to recognize when my heart is hardening with unforgiveness and I call upon my faith to remind me of the grace and mercy shown me throughout my own life. That puts a whole other perspective to forgiveness. How can I not forgive?

It reminds me of one of my favorite songs by my favorite Gospel recording artist, Fred Hammond. The second verse of his song “Lord, Your Grace” says:

“Where sin abounds grace abounds so much more
Covering me from the sun to the floor
And if I forget then the spirit of grace cries out
Peace
(And I remember)
Sweet peace.”

2. Ask for forgiveness. After No. 1 on this list, this should be an easy one, but it’s not.  Of course, if we know we are not perfect then we know that we have done things we shouldn’t have at least at some point in our lives.  Why then is it so hard to admit we are wrong?

3. Touch my kids’ faces and tell them I love them. This one may be difficult to do since one of my children lives in another state. Two are still at home under my roof, though. Sometimes, I stop them from whatever they are doing and just touch their cheek and smile at them. They think I”m kooky of course, but deep down they recognize this as just another expression of my love for them. And I can call my son who lives out of state and talk to him. 

4. Talk to my mom. I don’t know about anybody else, but my mother is great. She’s a very loving person who also can be tough if need be. She’s a dynamo and a genius — my biggest hero. I didn’t know that until I grew up and had children of my own but I certainly know it now. I don’t think I could ever tire of telling my mother how wonderful she is, but I probably don’t say it enough. If the world as we know it is to come to an end, then certainly I would want to tell her one more time.