Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Thursday 13 - Bucket List

Esmé’s Mommy here.

If you would like to help the woman I wrote about yesterday whose daughter died last month, Michelle over at …Seeking Serenity has PayPal and Moneybookers buttons on her site through which you can donate. We’ll use all donated funds to assist the woman in some sort of business venture that will help her support her family. Thanks, Michelle!

---------------
We had a pleasant surprise yesterday in the form of a visit from Rutendo and her baby! Rutendo worked as our empregada from June of last year through January, and then disappeared without us getting a chance to say goodbye. We heard through the grapevine that she was pregnant and didn’t want to tell us.

Well, she and baby Wilma, five months, are both looking good! Here they are with Esmé.


---------------
Thanks to some other bloggers, I have a couple of serious posts swirling through my head on topics such as:
  • What would be on my bucket list?
  • What would I do differently if I knew I had one month to live?
  • If I had six months of free time, with no financial limitations, what would I do?
For today's Thursday 13, though, we'll take a less serious look at what is on my bucket list where my daughter is concerned.
I realize that I can't live my life vicariously through her (though as a mom it sure it tempting sometimes), and that she may not be interested in all of these things. But if she's game, here are thirteen things I'd love to do with my little girl.
  1. Read the Bible together. When she is old enough to understand and discuss what we're reading, I'd like to read the Bible together in a year. I'd love to see spiritual things through her eyes.

  2. Publish a recipe book. I'd like to cook together and create favorites together. Nothing complicated, but it would be nice to have something useful - and full of heritage - that can be passed on to future generations.

  3. Run a marathon. Not right away, of course - she needs to grow a little before we start training. Maybe by the time she's old enough to train, I'll be fit enough to do this!

  4. Learn to swim. I desperately need to do this, and it would be fun to do it together!

  5. Create a library. I want her to have a collection of books she owns and knows intimately. As a kid, I tagged all of my parents' books (and there with a lot) with "Due Date" tags in the back. I wanted to summarize and organize them all, but I ran out of life/time. She may not be like me, but I do want her to have a love for good books. (I am not the librarian type. No. NO. NO! Just in case you were wondering.)

  6. Develop a sense of art and artistry. I am very unconfident in my artistic abilities and am petrified that I will pass that on to my girl. But I do well in class, so I'd love to take some classes with her, or pass on what I learn. Things like photography, and cake decorating, and flower arranging, and interior design.

  7. Create a joint blog. I can't wait until she is old enough to dictate her own posts! Though she seems to be doing that already . . . Blogging is such a great outlet for the art of writing, and I'd like to introduce that to her.

  8. Learn to play the oboe. Actually, I'd let her pick whatever instrument she wants. But it would be fun to learn to play something at the same time and do duets, etc. And the oboe has been on my personal list of instruments to learn for a long time.

  9. Master the game of golf. Not that it can ever really be mastered, but we can at least attempt it together. I can't wait until she is old enough to be allowed on those overly-liability-conscious US golf courses. Considering how little I've played, a 64 on a 9-hole isn't so bad, but it can certainly use some improvement.

  10. Go on a looong backpacking trip. Nothing like carrying all your goods on your back in solitary wilderness to create closeness between mother and daughter, wouldn't you think?

  11. Learn Afrikaans together. This is Daddy's first language, and I've struggled with it for 17 years now. I'd love to pick it up as she's picking it up.

  12. Sew a quilt. I still haven't used my sewing machine, purchased about 5 years ago. But she just might provide me with incentive. It would be wonderful to work on a joint project like a quilt together.

  13. Enjoy the moments. More than anything else, I just want to hold on to and treasure each moment with my baby, who is fast growing up to be a big girl. I want to create memories that we can both cherish for a lifetime.
And here's Miss Esmé, helping her Mommy sort through a box of books.

29 comments:

I Am Boymom said...

Oh my gosh! Esme is getting so big! She's such a cutie! Fun pics of Rutendo and her daughter.

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

Beautiful list.

Gayle said...

Great idea for a list! I wonder now what I would write...so different for each child.
The White House

Robin said...

What a lovely idea for a list - I'm sure whatever you end up doing you'll create a lifetime of shared memories.

Anonymous said...

I still have yet to see that movie!!! I need to.

Also, I heard from a HS friend yesterday that Adam came to know the Lord 3 yrs ago and is in ministry! :)

Anonymous said...

I remember creating a "library" with my sister ... all of our books had construction paper card holders taped in their backs, and we cut up index cards to use in them. We only ever "lent" them to each other, but it was a fun project, and some of our books to this day still have old, faded card holders on their back covers!

I want to take swimming lessons with my kid(s), too. I have my own style of swimming which works very well for me but looks bizarre to anyone watching, and I'd like to learn the proper way to do things. And I think learning along with my children would be so fun!

tiarastantrums said...

great list! great shot of your baby girl in the box!

grammy said...

Thanks for visiting me. My daughter worked for Team Expansion for years. She lived in Kabual for 2 years, but has been all over. On my blog there is a post about her and some pics (maybe in Sept). Come back sometime. Your daughter is so sweet and beautiful of course.

junglemama said...

You have some wonderful plans. what you are doing now is pretty amazing.

Thanks for stopping by my blog.

Mindy said...

Hi and thanks for visiting Shore's End. I really enjoyed reading through your blog. Such great work you are doing!

dani said...

j, that is a great list of things you and esme "will" someday do together (i have no doubt:)...
i love the photo of esme in her reading box, tee-hee!!!
love,
dani

ShEiLa said...

Like the 'bucket list'... I still need to see that movie. I haven't given this as muvh thought as you... but you no never know so maybe I should.
Kids are happy sitting anywhere... even just sitting in a box.
ToOdLeS.ShEiLA

Claremont First Ward said...

Miss Esme is such a great helper! What a wonderful list, too.

Is an impregnata someone that helps with babies?

Sandra said...

That is a beautiful list :)

Growin' With It said...

wow, all their eyes in that first photo are gorgeous!! have you seen the movie "bucket list"? sappy one for sure! made cry.

it seems like the season for reflecting lately huh? i enjoyed your list. it sure puts things into perspective when you sit down and think intently on this subject!

btw...are you on facebook? did you send me a request?

Anonymous said...

I have to think on this. Thanks for sharing.

I have a award for oyu at my blog if you would like.

Kori said...

I love your list, and the photo of Esme in the box of books; that is my kind of kid!

pussreboots said...

Good luck with your list. Happy TT.

Andrea said...

Awesome list! And I desperately need to learn how to swim too. Tate is in his first session of swimming lessons now...hmmm...maybe they'll help me too? let's hope!!!

Anonymous said...

Tee hee. I *am* the Librarian-type.

Great list. Sounds like you and the wee one will go on some fun adventures together as she grows.

Anonymous said...

Nice list. Such a good idea to learn a musical instrument and to build up a library.

Pam said...

That is a great list- you will have some fabulous adventures as E grows!

Restless Ink said...

Beautiful. That's such a fun list - I know I look forward to doing so much with Dora...I just hope she'll want to do the stuff with me!!

Debra Kaye said...

What a beautiful bucket list! What a great picture of Esme and friends. Blessings to you this evening!!

There is lovin for you both at my blog!

Anonymous said...

What a great list!

Mrs.Naz@BecomingMe said...

Wonderful list and I love the picture of her reading in the box...too cute!!

Tânia Pinto said...

Gosh.. You can't swim? What a torture... With the beaches you guys have... :)

You know, when i read about that lady's story my heart just felt so tight you know... I wish I could do more than just give money away...

JoyFilled said...

That is a wonderful list. I have many of the same goals. I just found your blog a few weeks ago and have read so much of it. I must say, I'm so intrigued by it all! I love seeing your pictures and reading your stories.

God bless!

Anonymous said...

I love this list. It is full of grand ideas that are totally tangible!

Greeting to you from GA, USA.