"Get Over It" ~ A Real Life Bucket List

hang gliderOnce in a while on this blog I segway from concepts of art & design, illustration, writing and marketing into topics more about life and the bigger picture. And today some upliftment seems especially appropriate.

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For all that’s good in life, to be embraced and appreciated, there’s a lot of very real concern too, for some big items on life’s plate. I think we’ve all felt this way at different points in our lives, and quite a few people are feeling it now. You feel stretched and burdened. Sleep is lost. And what happens after too many wakeful nights, the lack of a good night’s sleep becomes cumulative, so when morning comes, it’s tough to rally.

I felt that way this morning. But of course, I did rise. Had a cup of tea, got my daughter’s breakfast and lunch made, drove her to school, came back to set about the work day. While making a second cup of tea, I flipped on the CBS Early Show. They had a segment on a 79-year-old woman named Susie, diagnosed a few months ago with terminal cancer, 6-9 months to live.

Instead of seeking treatment, Susie is living out her own “bucket list” – she’s choosing “life” in a big way. What an inspiration she was (and is)! Maybe you’ve heard of her, but if you haven’t, she’s worth knowing about.

The great thing about Susie is that this isn’t a whim at the end of life – it’s big, and full of intent to live out the rest of her days with gusto, but apparently she’s always had a life-affirming spirit. An example is when her son, at the age of 16, become paraplegic; her guidance was to recognize that, ok, the muscles that don’t work, don’t work, and that’s that – so count the ones that still DO work, and use them for all they’re worth.

She has this immense kind of “get over it” attitude (which is advice she actually offers) – life is a gift – death is just another page of life’s book. She’s fearless and cheerful and unpretentious. She’s a no-nonsense, live life, get on with it person. And I for one am grateful that I “got to meet her” this morning – it put a whole new energy into my day, painted it with different colors, offered a new view. It didn’t change my lack of sleep or the amount or weight of things on my plate, but maybe a different way to hold and carry that plate, at least for today.

Every now and then someone crosses our path who lifts us up. This morning that happened to me. Thank you Susie, and may you fully, utterly enjoy every single moment on your list.  And that goes for you reading this, too – as Susie says, life is “in your face”; so go ahead and take it on.

If you want to follow her adventures, there’s a Weadock Bucket List Blog and Weadock Bucket List Facebook page

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Patricia Saxton

5 Comments
  • Valerie

    September 14, 2009 at 10:12 am Reply

    Wow!!! I really needed that today..thanks for posting that on the Wittenberg Linkedin group…YOU GO SUSIE!!! Grab every second for all it is worth…you left an imprint on me today…and for days to come.

  • Ouisie

    September 12, 2009 at 1:34 pm Reply

    Patricia! Thank you for recognizing my Mom! What makes her spirit so affirming is her NATURE as a woman & mother! She loves to Laugh, she is hugely Competitive! Her HUMILITY gives her emotional & intellectual Head space to:
    1. Face a situation “Head On”
    2. Adapt to a Winning Strategy
    3. Laugh at herself & others when “Plan A” doesn’t work out… because at the end of the day…

    We plan, God Laughs!

    Thank you for your support & prayers… they get our family to the next adventure!!

    • saxtonstudio

      September 12, 2009 at 6:42 pm Reply

      You are so welcome Louise. (Was that you on the show with your Mom? You were wonderful.) Unexpectedly, I feel somehow part of your journey now, and wish you the very best. … I lost my own mother to cancer years ago; I understand the range and depth of emotion, the difficult steps along that path, and can’t tell you how right it feels to watch you and your Mom adventure your way through this.

      A lot of people have read this post (mostly on my other blog http://patriciasaxton.wordpress.com) and commented on how uplifted they felt as a result of your Mom’s spirit – so there are more prayers for you all than you probably know!

  • Ann Weadock

    September 11, 2009 at 10:29 pm Reply

    Thank you for your wonderful response to Susie’s bucket list. I am her daughter in law (30 years). This is exactly the message we were hoping to convey when she decided to go public with her illness and desires. When the diagnosis came we had a family dinner and talked about what she wanted to do. Louise came up with the bucket list idea and it just grew from there. Her children, grandchildren and spouses, all made suggestions and the list grew . The next two adventures will be in FL because that is where her son John lives. This will enable him to be a a part of the group. He flew to NY (hadn’t been on a plane in over 20 years) to be there for the first item. Keep watching for the rest of the story. We hope this list puts cancer on the WAY back burner. Your comments made our day!!!

    • saxtonstudio

      September 11, 2009 at 10:47 pm Reply

      Well now you’ve gone and made my day – for the second time. Ann, I am so happy that this found its way to you – and that it hit the mark. I’m also so touched that you took the time to reply.

      My writing of this post was very spontaneous, and completely inspired – I wasn’t sure that I got everything right, but I knew I got the gist of it and I knew I felt uplifted by Susie’s journey, and knew I wanted to share it. It seems your whole family is a shining example of life and love. Susie has her done her work well…. Many blessings to you all.

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