I don’t usually write about this on my travel blogs, but I was diagnosed with cancer in 2005. I vividly remember at the time expecting a seize-the-day sort of feeling. I’m actually reminded of that daily as I follow other travel writers online and see the recurring theme to suck the marrow from life, to take advantage of every moment and of every beautiful part of our earth, to see as much of the world as possible while we’re on it.
The weird thing is, that’s not how I felt when I actually thought I was dying. I was the mother of young children. I still lived very near my family and an extensive circle of friends. And I kinda just wanted to hang. I found myself wishing I could gather all them in a room – everyone I’d known and loved. I had a lot to say thank you for, because it had really been a very cool life.
Fortunately – and quite obviously – I didn’t die then. And after the surgery and treatments were over, I wondered if I would think differently if I was ever given a diagnosis like that again. I wondered if I’d get the seize-the-day feeling the second time around. And because of that, I spend a lot of time wondering what I might do to seize the day if that feeling shows up. That is my bucket list, it’s constantly changing. I’m always weighing which carpe-diem opportunity should come first if I have to prioritize them. And it grows all the time.
I’m reminded of my carpe-diem list all the time right now as I follow more travel writers online. There are so many adventurers out there who seem to have been born with the wonderful gift to value every moment and to see as much of the earth as possible while they’re on it. I love that. It’s incredibly inspiring, and I feel I’m in excellent company.
This spring I went to New York City to see for myself (along with other group members) the attractions we usually include in New York City group tours. And technically, that was one huge check mark on the bucket list. What I’ve noticed, though, is that it refuses to move very far down the list. Having been there once, visiting again will always remain on my list of lifetime goals. And the list keeps growing.
I really appreciate your willingness to share such a personal story for us, your readers. Neither my wife or I have ever faced such a situation and I can only hope we can rebound as well as you seem to from the experience.
Thank you so much for sharing and inspiring us to sieze each day with your story.
Thank you for commenting! I really appreciate it, and it makes it so much more worth it if anything good can from the experience. Inspiring people to seize the day is definitely something good.