The Writer's Pen

We hear a lot about people who have bucket lists of the things they want to do or accomplish before they die. Unfortunately, bucket lists are much like New Year's resolutions – dreams without opportunity or motivation that are unlikely to ever happen.

I think it is better for us to each have a memory list of all the things we have done in our lives, so that we can always think of that list and be grateful for all we have been able to do and accomplish. No one can ever take that away from us.

Today, I would like to share with you some of the important times in my life that are on my memory list and the meaning they have for me.

I remember the years I lived in Tacoma, Wash., watching out our living room window as the sun slowly climbed showing Mount Rainier in all its glory. That memory is forever etched in my mind for its beauty and magnificence.

Watching the Tacoma Giants play their parent team the San Francisco Giants was always fun. It was especially memorable when my dad and I went together, and he watched his hero Willie Mays hit a home run.

Many times I have had the opportunity to see Old Faithful erupt in Yellowstone Park and watch with amazement the tremendous power of the water being tossed into the sky, knowing that this recurs every hour.

Devil's Tower in Wyoming is one of the most unique mountains, standing apart from the rest in its rugged majesty. Being able to stand at its base and look up is truly inspiring. Every time I see it, I continue to be amazed.

The ferry ride from Anacortes, Washington to Vancouver Island, British Columbia is something to remember. You wind your way through the Straits of Juan De Fuca and the islands in the straits. It is beautiful, and also peaceful, as you pass from Washington into Canada.

In my several trips to Victoria B.C. over the years, I was always impressed by the Empress Hotel, where royalty used to stay on their trips. We even had lunch there with my mother, but she wouldn't let us order anything because it was so expensive. On my last trip, I spent two nights staying there with my daughter, Michelle, and my two youngest grandchildren, John and Jayne. They were impressed. We also were able to have 'High Tea' together while we were there. John didn't want to dress up to go, but he enjoyed it as much or more than the rest of us. When I saw the bill for our stay, I reminded myself it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island is the most fantastic flower garden in the world. It is really many smaller gardens blended together with flowers that would melt the hearts of even those who do not like flowers. At night it becomes alive with bright colors spewing from the many fountains, and it is capped off by a dazzling fireworks display.

Yellowstone Park's Tower Fall is as beautiful a waterfall as I have ever seen. A bonus is if you walk all the way to the bottom, you can go behind the falls and watch the water as it hits the rocks.

The Tacoma Zoo and Aquarium has a wide variety of displays including a butterfly room, and the rare red wolf. A camel ride is a new attraction there. For a moderate-sized city, their zoo is one of the finest in the western United States.

Just down the road from us in West Bend is the Grotto of the Redemption, a beautiful rock display of the Stations of the Cross. I have taken my kids and grandkids there over the years and I never tire of seeing the work of the local priest.

After my Chicago White Sox finally won a world championship in 2005, my son-in-law gave me a World Series ball autographed by Ozzie Guillen, their manager. Being at a world championship game would always be a goal, but this was a good substitute for me.

Virginia City, Mont., is a replica of the past, with a stagecoach, train with a steam engine, saloon, blacksmith's shop, Western Union telegraph office, general store, barbershop and other buildings that are a reminder of their past. The stagecoach and train rides both have a tour guide that gives a history of the gold rush and everything that came with it.

On one of my trips West, we came from Vancouver Island to the city of Vancouver and then traveled east on the Canadian side. The Canadian Rockies are truly a sight to see. They are more rugged and beautiful than the American Rockies and the trip through Bamph and Lake Louise was memorable. We then tent camped in a remote campground in the middle of the mountains. It was an unforgettable trip.

My trip to Ireland with my grandson, James, was certainly a dream come true. We kissed the Blarney Stone, saw Medieval Castles, toured Waterford Chrystal and St. Patrick's Cathedral, and ate at a Medieval Feast. We also enjoyed Irish music and dancing. We then spent a day together in the Kilarney National Park because we missed our bus. We dined in an authentic Irish restaurant that did not cater to tourists. In a moment of reflection, I sipped a soda in an Irish Pub, and wished my father and brother could have been with me to share our Irish heritage.

So many memories have come from my almost 50 years of marriage to Cheri. Our two girls and six grandchildren have continued to add memories to our lives. We have watched wrestling, including the state tournament, several state gymnastics meets and many other sports including soccer, volleyball, Taekwondo, cross country, track and softball. We have also enjoyed watching many plays and music events, including all-state choir. Watching our grandchildren grow and participating in their events has given us a lifetime of memories.

A recent event for me was a ride in a parachute plane. We were in the air for two hours and covered 80 miles. It was an exciting way to view my hometown of Everly, as well as the Ocheyedan and Little Sioux River valleys, between Everly and Sioux Rapids. We also saw about 90 eagles and many deer on the trip. My pilot and friend, Alan Mills, gave me a memorable experience.

Remembering our life experiences is almost like continually counting the many blessings in our lives. Once they have happened to us, they can never be taken away.

I understand why people have bucket lists with things they want to do before their life is over. I just believe that memory lists are more important so that we can always remember what we have done and accomplished in our lives.

David Hoye lives in Everly with his wife, Cheri. He is a published writer with several different titles for sale on Amazon and WestBow Press.