Something from my bucket list: dreams DO come true

Do you have an actual bucket list?
Do you have some cherished dreams that would be oh so lovely if they could really come true? I do not have an actual written bucket list. But there are definitely special hopes and dreams that I hope will come true…..some day.

Well, this weekend a number of those “some days” are really going to happen. I have written before about the special times I had at one of the elementary schools that I attended. I will add some of those links when I edit this post later. My family moved away from that town two weeks after I graduated from 8th grade. I haven’t seen any of those beloved people since, except for one of my girl friends once or twice within that year. I really treasure the teachers and classmates from that time. A couple of years ago, I found one of those former classmates on Facebook. As a result, when the group  began planning a reunion, I received an invitation.

It thrills me to no end that this evening I will be reconnecting with some lovely people from my childhood. I have always wondered what became of these people, and now I will reconnect. To me, that is a blessing beyond measure. To have a chance to weave the threads of my past into the tapestry of my present and future is precious.

Here are some photos of cousins, uncles, and aunt.

Besides that, last night and today I got the chance to see a couple of my uncles, an aunt, and some dear cousins (and some of their spouses—who of course are my forever cousins, too). Oh how wonderful it has been to spend time with them. There is nothing like sharing a meal and coffee with cousins, aunts, uncles, and old friends.

Bucket lists are funny things. Some people put things like skydiving or climbing Mt. Everest on their bucket list. Others put extensive travel or huge major accomplishments on them. One of my favorite things to consider is the chance to spend time in the presence of every treasured person (from my past and present). Is it any wonder that when I watch the Wizard of Oz, when Dorothy is freaking out because “the sand in the hourglass is almost gone” , I holler “TURN IT OVER”— get more time!!!

You see, there is something so special about spending time with people you love. whether it is via phone, internet chat, email, or face to face — the chance to share hearts is irresistible to me. Do you feel the same way? Last night and this morning it was cousin time, and aunt and uncle time. I always feel completely and immediately included by every one of them. It has always been that way ~ and I know it always will be. When your heart is truly home, it gets hugged. You see– that kind of love has always been there. Perhaps that is why it shocks me when there are people who are unkind towards me or are  emotionally hurtful or dismissive. I don’t expect it ~ because of the immense Love Connection that has been my cousin life. Anyway—it has been a special 24 hours so far. There is more to come.

Graces and joy await me throughout this weekend, and I have already had more than my share.  This evening I have my reunion with dear, lovely former classmates. Tomorrow I will attend church at the church my husband and I belonged to when we lived here in MN.I will rejoin VERY close friends of mine — old college friends who still live in the parish that we did. We will pray and sing together—and after church there will be hugging, and sharing a meal and coffee. What a marvelous time we will have. I pulled into Burnsville a little while ago, and got all checked in. I am rejoicing.

I hope that today you have some joyous reminders in one way or another, that you are loved and cherished.