My goal of experiencing or doing fifty new things before I turn the big 5-0 has finally hit my second ten completed items. As in my first installment some are more interesting than others but this is just a fun activity and something that brings new adventures to my life. A mini bucket list you could say.
Below you will find my next ten items, some with photos. I hope you enjoy this and get inspired to go out of your comfort zone and try new things. It’s really rewarding. Even when some of the items are really not a big deal (to anyone but me).
Twenty down and thirty to go!
11) Hold a Macaw Parrot. I love animals, always have. Recently I had to make a visit to the home of a neighbor to return something to them. Little did I know that they own a Macaw! He seemed very interested in me, so I reached out to stroke his chest, and the owner stated to be careful. So, knowing they have incredibly powerful beaks, I just slowed my hand and let the bird decide if he wanted contact. He clearly did, as he just came right on over and sat on my hand. I was very honored that he chose to let me hold him. The owner was shocked. He said that this bird doesn’t like anyone. But if I’m being honest, I’ve heard that from so many people about a variety of animals. I have never had a negative experience with any animal (minus the rooster that hated me when I was 4, he was dinner one night thanks to my Granddad). Every animal knows I’m one to trust, that I mean them no harm. I’m the person that would probably get killed on a safari trying to pet the fluffy murder kitty! (aka the lion)
12) Destroy items in a Rage Room. These are rooms designed for their occupants to relieve stress and frustrations, or in my case, grief. I went with five of my fellow Grief Sisters and we used it as therapy. I am not usually a violent person and do not break things on purpose, however, this was incredibly therapeutic. We were armed with baseball bats, golf clubs, steel re-bar, sledge hammers, and claw hammers. We were safely suited up and given buckets of breakables and markers….yes, markers. Where I was happy to write on my dishware. “I want my son back” and “Fuck Death” were the two phrases I placed on my items and then smashed them to smithereens. Never before had I felt such a release. I believe we all did, and now we all highly recommend this to every grieving parent we cross. I will be doing this one again but this time I’m taking my husband.
13) Get picked up by my youngest child. I was so worried he would hurt himself. Because although I am a smaller woman now, I’m still not tiny. My 140 pound son, who is only 13, can officially pick me up. What is that!?!? He is still my sweet baby boy but soon I feel I’m going to have to start referring to him as my man-child. I am not ready for any of that business.
14) Visit Forks, WA! The birthplace of one of my favorite books series The Twilight Saga by Stephanie Meyer. My husband took me on the 426 mile round trip just because he knows I’ve wanted to do this for years. I was able to see the inspiration for The Cullen’s and Bella’s houses, the Forks PD and Hospital, and of course Bella’s red 1963 Chevy Step-side pick up. Knowing one of my favorite authors was here in this town, putting structures and ideas to paper was just so inspiring. I fell in love with the books and characters from first opening Twilight. Edward and Bella’s romance and the struggles they endured just pulled me in.
15) While in Forks we had to go to Jacob’s home as well, the Quileute reservation which is where LaPush beach is. Crossed the treaty line hoping to catch a glimpse of either a wolf or vampire but came up empty. We found First Beach and were awe struck at the cost line. Rocks and cliffs, shore birds and the beautiful Pacific. It gave me a very “Goonie” feel. No red hair bobbing off shore though, which I will admit I was thankful for.
16) At First Beach was a wonderful restaurant and we were starving. No Mushroom Ravioli here but I did try Fry bread for the first time. I had ordered a Fry Bread Salmon burger with a creamy dill sauce and it was heavenly. Light and flavorful and paired nicely with some Seattle Cider. Not to mention our server, Faye, was lovely and not snarky like the waitress in Twilight.
17) Be interviewed by a videographer. I was asked to be a part of a special project by Donate Life Northwest as a donor family member. The project centers around high school curriculum and bringing the conversation of organ donation into our schools. As Alex’s Mom and his gift that we decided to give, I was honored to be asked. My daughter Faith went with me to a beautiful home in Portland where we were met by the incredible staff. They are some of the most caring individuals. I sat with Andy and told Alex’s story and more importantly I was able to share what it means to us as a family to know that he lives on, even if it’s in someone else. One day I will get to listen to my son’s heartbeat again, and if I can’t have him, this is one of the most wondrous things I can look forward to. I believe it is very important for parents and kids to have these conversations. Nobody wants to ever think they’ll have to make this decision for anyone in their lives, let alone their child, but wouldn’t it be better to firstly; have your children understand what this gift would mean to someone else and secondly; know what all of you want in this kind of a situation?!
18) Get contacts. I didn’t wear glasses until I was an older teen and even then I didn’t really need them. But as I’ve aged the need to wear them became stronger until it was absolutely necessary. Then I needed bifocals. UGH. I have also had sensitive eyes my entire life, hate bright lights or things coming too close or touching my eyes. It even took me years to be able to stand mascara. So the thought of contacts was out for a long time. However, I decided to give it a try. I’d like to report that it’s working nicely though the adjustment period is still going as I have one eye that’s for close up and one for far away. If they bring masking back, which I guarantee they will, at least I don’t have that one extra thing to deal with! Look for the blessings right?
19) Visit Powell’s Books! “Powell’s City of Books is the largest used and new bookstore in the world, occupying an entire city block and housing approximately one million books. Located in downtown Portland’s Pearl District, the City of Books has nine color-coded rooms and over 3,500 different sections, offering something for every interest, including an incredible selection of out-of-print and hard-to-find titles.” I have lived in Oregon my whole life and it’s unimaginable to me that it took 49 years for me to visit this literary gem. I went with my eldest daughter and we were both in absolute book heaven. I highly recommend doing this if you are a lover of the written word. Bring your own bag though, as it’s Oregon after all and plastic is banned.
20) Sing praise at church with my second born and brother from another mother. I’ve sung praise before but never with these two. That makes it worthy of this list. Doing anything new with my children will always be something I cherish. I haven’t sang at church in over a decade and post accident I haven’t even been to church a lot. It’s not related to a belief, it’s about trying to be around people, especially people who love us so much, that we would get “those” hugs. The hugs that I need but make me not be okay. I actually began to fall apart during the second song “Grace Like Rain” because I used to sing “Amazing Grace” to Alex when he was little. It was his song.
It felt good to be up there surrounded by my people. It felt good to sing praise to the Lord. It felt good to be at church and to contribute. I might go more now. I might start singing again. I hope I can anyway.
So that’s my next ten. 20/50 with 30 to go! I wonder what else will come my way that’s really new to me. I have a few things I want to do but I keep my senses open for things that just happen also. Stay tuned!
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My Journey’s My Own 
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