"Bucket Lists" & Parasailing

Made a trip to San Diego with Taylor & Paisley as they returned home from being in Texas 10 days. Thought it was a great opportunity to fly one way with them & just hang out for a few days. Doctors gave the go ahead & per their requests, airline staff had a wheelchair waiting at the gate to escort me to baggage claim in SD to reserve my energy & make travel less strenuous on me. (This was one of the weirdest experiences ever!) To be honest, I didn't like it at all! Made me feel crummy & took a bit of dignity... I guess that's what illness does, at times. Chips away at the "normal". I'm not saying it was bad- not at all! It actually did exactly what the doctor planned for it to do. I was then able to have the energy to walk on to the car & carry on with my travel. It was needed & I shall use it from now on whenever I can so travel can continue for as long as possible. I just had to "get over it!" It was different but that doesn't mean it wasn't better for me!

The visit to SD has been so great! Relaxing, slow going & easy on me with Taylor, Tyrel & Paisley! I'm blessed to be surrounded by people who love me & "get it" when I need to rest or when I want to GO!

Monday night, Tyrel has a double-header softball game, so if you know me- at all- you know I'm going to those games of his! Paced myself during the day & rested so there was plenty of energy to sit at the ballpark. I told him not to embarrass me with his play & to hit a couple of home runs, but otherwise, feel no pressure I was there! LOL!

A huge cold-front moved in & honestly we were freezing! All the wives & kids there to watch a bunch of Marines play one another in softball were all layered in warm clothes plus wrapped in blankets & still shivering, but we had such fun! I've said before how intriguing people are to me, & Marine families are no exception! They're from all walks of life. They've from all over the country & have moved quite a bit with their careers, so the diversity is huge! I just listen & watch with amazement at the colision of people at the ballpark!

One Marine wife began telling us of an upcoming cruise she & her husband are going to take & her mom is coming in to keep their 4 children & dog! They've never been on such a trip since this is a second marriage with a blended family, so they're quite excited- as they should be- about being child-less for a week & sailing to Mexico & islands they've never seen before! As she told us about the trip, she began to share she has many fears of things like heights, water, boats, tubing, snorkeling, parasailing, zip-lining, etc, etc! They're going on a trip like this & she is so afraid of what might be! We all laughed & shared stories of excursions & she told us her husband was very patient with her about all her fears. He said whatever excursion she chose to take would be great with him & he would help see her through. (What a great husband!) This Marine wife has no idea about me or my illness but I did say, "Life is so short, so go for it! You can do it!"

As Taylor, Paisley & I were loading into the car after the games, I told Taylor that I really hope this lady is able to pick a fun excursion & get over her fear to do it. I pray she can live a little & enjoy her husband & do something fun (even if it scares her a bit) so they can make a memory & she can taste life! I told Taylor I had wanted to parasail but every time Mike & I tried to book it, the winds were too high, or they'd just closed for lunch, etc. Taylor turns to me & reminds me we're right by the beach & can parasail here! We don't need a cruise at all & would I like to do that! A light bulb went on in my head & I agreed if Mike was good with it. I texted him right away, since he's not with me on this trip & he told me to go for it! (He & I have gotten to go so many places & do so many things & have so many wonderful adventures together that it's weird to think he's not with me to parasail) but with his blessing, we booked a trip the next day!

Since doctors have told me my life will be shorter than longer (ALWAYS knowing God can change this direction any time He wants to!) I've not had a "Bucket List" other than being with people I love. I don't necessarily want to go anywhere or see things I've not seen. I only want to be with people I hold dear. That's my "bucket list." But if I can parasail with Taylor & Tyrel, then I figure, let's go!

This afternoon we drove up the coast to the huge beach & marina to parasail. There was rain & clouds down south, but north of us was sunshine. We checked in on the boardwalk with people everywhere doing what they do in an oceanside community. Eating, biking, boating, skateboarding & enjoying a fabulous ocean! The captain is out on the boat & word is the winds are borderline too strong for parasailing today. The trip may be canceled so we needed to wait on the captain. After a while, he arrived & sure enough winds today are just too high to be safe for parasailing so the excursion must be rescheduled. Of course, it's disappointing, but it's ok. Maybe there'll be another time.

The main thing is, I was going to do it! I was taking an opportunity to enjoy something I've not done & I'm good with that. I'm good with who I am & loving living! (I'm not suggesting I'm not afraid of many things, for I am. There are some things I don't have any desire to ever do! I'm also never suggesting to live life without thought or wise judgement.) But, isn't life grand? Isn't there a beauty in living? Getting to experience life & change & heights & depths? Getting to taste & experience & grow? Getting to create & enjoy & marvel?

Maybe I'll get to parasail in this lifetime & maybe I won't. It really doesn't matter. What matters is that I live. What matters is Who I give credit to for this life I live! What matters is that I give this life to Him & then live it!

I hope you live! I hope this Marine & his wife enjoy their trip & that whatever excursion she chooses, she will have great delight in God's creation- whether it be the treetops, the oceans or the skies!

God gives life. God gives choices. I live life. I make choices.

Blessings!