Well, I was all set to tell you about a few of the things I want to do before I die. About how I want to hike the Grand Canyon rim to rim. I was ready to tell you in great detail about my plans for a spectacular trip to Alaska—The Last Frontier. Or even the trip we’re planning as a family for May 2017 to backpack for a couple weeks in the backcountry of Utah. But things happen that bring us a moment of clarity. A time when we’re able to see things from a different and, quite possibly, better perspective. Such was the case this week as I was contemplating what I would classify as my top bucket list items.

I woke up to sad news on Thursday morning as I opened Facebook and stared through bleary eyes at news I expected to hear but was heart-broken to receive. A wife and mother of two young boys had lost her battle with breast cancer. But this wasn’t just some unnamed mother in a random story about someone else’s life. She was a friend. Her family are friends. Julie was an integral part of the family of our church. Please take the time to read a wonderful tribute to her life and legacy written by a good friend.

Julie’s death struck a chord as I thought about how meaningless a bucket list is without loved ones with whom to share it. I honestly have no real desire to do the things on my list if I don’t have my wife or one of my kids there to do it with me. The more I’ve thought about it the last couple of days, the more I realize that a bucket list for me is the list of experiences I want to take in with someone I love.

Death comes to us all. It’s a cold, hard fact of life in a fallen, sinful world. But death never leaves us without a sense of feeling that a person’s loved ones have been robbed when that loved one is taken prematurely from this world. A husband robbed of the opportunity to grow old with his wife. A child robbed of the presence of their mother at their graduation, wedding, and countless moments along the way. But a well-lived life can leave a legacy for generations, no matter how short it may seem to have been.

So, here’s a condensed version of my bucket list. Locations and experiences may vary along the way, but these are the criteria that are necessary to make the list.

I want to take in every sunrise and sunset I can with my beautiful wife. If only for a moment, I want to pause and take in the beauty and the mystery of life. I want to wonder at the power of God on full display. I want to thank Him for allowing me the privilege of sharing life with Randi.

I want to watch my boys continue to grow and mature. I want to see them get married and raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. I could have no greater joy than to see my children walk in truth.

I leave you with the words from Wes King’s song “There Is a God”:

Well I plan on being here for a long time

Watchin’ you grow up; watchin’ you fly away.

I plan on cryin’ at your wedding, and sayin’

Goodbye to my little boys and hello it’s nice to see you

To the men you’ll someday be.

And growin’ old with your mother and hold her hand all the way

Falling in love with her every single day.

And should I die before you wake, there’s something I would want to say:

Love life with all your might.

Love peace, but be willing to fight.

Love beauty and train your sight.

Nurture your appetite for beauty, goodness, and truth.

Be strong and be brave.

Believe and be saved for there is a God.

Be men of faith and courage; a little crazy, a little bold.

Seek to find your mission; fear God and fear not man.

And believe when I tell you, Oh, I wish you only joy.

And if you wish to find your life, you must give it away.

And when you die, you will wake

In the arms of the One you pray your soul to take.

Love life with all your might.

Love peace, but be willing to fight.

Love beauty and train your sight.

Nurture your appetite for beauty, goodness, and truth.

Be strong and be brave.

Believe and be saved for there is a God.

Hug your wife and love on your kids,

Mike