My bucket list

A while back I saw the movie "The Bucket List" starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. The story is about two men with terminal illnesses who have a list of things they want to do before they die -- before they "kick the bucket," so to speak.

I suspect everyone has a bucket list, either written or unwritten. When I was a student at Southeast Missouri State University, an assignment in a psychology class motivated me to write a list I called "Goals for Life." It was a list of specific things that I wanted to experience during what I anticipated would be several decades of life. It is now five decades later. How have I done so far?

Before I die I want ...

1. ... to have many great friendships. There have, indeed, been some great friendships over the years. Some stretch all the way back to my high school years at Chaffee, a few come from my coaching years, but most come from the many close associations at the churches I attended and the various colleges where I have served. When the phone rings, I generally know which era the caller is from by the greeting: whether I am referred to as Hop, Coach or Dr. Hopkins. Each greeting resets my mind to a special time in my past.

2. ... to travel much of the world and see for myself what is there. Travel has taken me to every continent, unless you think Australia is a continent. I haven't been there -- at least, not yet. I have been all over Asia from Korea to India, and Ruth and I lived in Sri Lanka for a year. I have developed a great warmth for the people in those distant places.

3. ... to have a great love, to love and be loved in all the ways that are possible. Having celebrated a 55th wedding anniversary with the love of my life, my friend, my partner and the first girl I ever kissed, one would have to agree that I am, indeed, fortunate.

4. ... to know that I have accomplished something noteworthy in life. Having raised three great children into fine adults and fine parents in their own right, and having been a teacher, a college president and pastor of a church should qualify as having accomplished something worthy of note. My ego thinks so, anyway.

5. ... to be looking back with joy and forward with anticipation at the time of my death. When my time comes, I want to be looking forward to the thrilling experience of exploring that great unknown. The Bible teaches us that there is much to experience just beyond that pale.

My goals at age 18 have become my bucket list, and I hope I'm not finished writing just yet. Everyone should have such a list for this year and for life. Have you written yours?