BUCKET LIST COMPLETE; AIN'T LIFE GRAND

Is it just me, or does everyone seem to be talking about their bucket list these days? Things that you want to do before you die (even if you're not dying), which usually includes some extraordinary thing such as going on a safari in Africa. Jumping out of a plane. Or like a favorite movie of mine, A Walk in the Woods, where the characters took on the extreme challenge of hiking the Appalachian Trail in their older years.

So, what would be on my bucket list? It's appropriate to consider since I'm in the market for making every day count after my cancer diagnosis. And as I recently heard someone say, "It's not that you only live once, but you only die once." So, you'd better live each day to the fullest.

We bought a grand piano today—a brand new Perzina GBT-175 in Ebony, to be exact. They call her a Parlor Grand since she's a tad on the smaller size. At 5'9", she's as long as I am tall. I've dreamed of owning a grand piano my entire life, and I can confidently say that this would be the only item on my bucket list. I just can't believe it's real, still.

And really, isn't she beautiful? This piano not only sounds great, but she's quite a looker as well. The kind of piano that you want to sit down at and play the day away.

This was our salesman holding up the sold sign. A big deal in my book, and although it was what many might call an extravagant splurge, especially for someone with terminal cancer, to me, it is a dream come true.

The showroom that we went to had tons of pianos to choose from and our salesman was amazing. So kind, caring and he knew just how special this purchase was. You know how when you go to pick out a puppy, they say you'll know which one to get because they choose you? Well, that is how I felt with my Perzina. She spoke to me and I just knew. My husband did, too, as he listened to the music being played in the next room over to really get an accurate feeling of the sound of each piano in the running.

Meant to be.

Her brightness made me smile, and her rich tones left me dreaming of playing my beloved Bach plus some of my more modern favorites like Jessica's Theme from The Man From Snowy River and probably my favorite piece of all time, the theme song to the film On Golden Pond.

Let's just hope she fits in our living room. And they assured me that they can get her through the front door.

I plan to put her in the corner by the fireplace, looking out the window at our beautiful trees and our creek. Talk about playing the piano to a view. And talk about being thankful that we have vailted ceilings in our living room. Again, meant to be.

We get her delivered in a week and I can hardly wait. When I think of the things that bring me the most joy, I remember how much music played a part in it. Singing showtunes on the way home from Theaterfest with my parents when I was lucky enough to attend one of my favorite musicals with them, all of us kids, plus their friends vying for one of their coveted season tickets.

The time I auditioned for The Sound of Music at the prestigious Civic Light Opera in Santa Barbara and got the part, even if it was just in the chorus. Hours and hours of practicing on my upright piano in the living room, when I was younger, my parents in their study, clapping after each piece I completed.

And hymns. Hymns hold a special place in my heart and between my mom and I. Before she passed, in her later years, we'd sit at my keyboard. I'd play and we'd both sing the same hymns that I had sung for more than 50 years, and her 80. When Mom progressed deeper into Alzheimer's, she couldn't use a pen, had a hard time eating, and was not there mentally like she used to be, but she could still sing her hymns. Music is magical. It has a way of expressing feelings, and when used in worship, it can bring us closer to God.

So, what are some of the things on your bucket list? And what's holding you back from experiencing those things? I'd love to chat more down in the comments!