If you do a web search for the origins of this, you will find many references and several contradictions to a range of views on the origin of this phase and to its exacting meaning.  However, the general consensus falls within the view of referring to ‘a list of things one intends to do before dying’.  This implies consideration and thought has gone into the list and from the research I have conducted so far makes little reference to things like ‘tasks’ to be done.  No, most references are of a ‘wish list’ of things to do before dying.  Now that makes things much more interesting doesn’t it?  Now, depending on your age, background, financial situation, adaptability and flexibility; this will dictate the scope of the list that may be created.  Someone can be very young but still have a very focused and limited list and that could be due to the times we live and in developed cultures quite a few have already travelled fairly extensive with their parents, educational trips, gap years etc.  So, for them, an expectation of achieving certain things to do with travel is within their life expectancies.  Whereas, compare this to someone quite older, say in their 50's, 60’s plus, you may find their list is loaded with travel, because they did not have as many opportunities to do so throughout their lives due to technology, social norms, income and other grounding factors.

Thinking of this subject brings my mind to a fairly recent film The Bucket List is a 2007 comedy-drama film directed by Rob Reiner, written by Justin Zackham, and starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman.  The main plot follows two terminally ill men (portrayed by Nicholson and Freeman) on their road trip with a wish list of things to do before they “kick the bucket”   (source Wikipedia). 

To kick the bucket is an English idiom that is defined as “to die” in the Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue (1785).  It is considered a euphemistic, informal, or slang term.  Its origin remains unclear, though there have been several theories.  (source Wikipedia)  

This brings me to a few questions

“Do you have a bucket list?”

“Have you completed your bucket list?”

“Have you put an end date to achieving your bucket list? I do not mean the end date of ‘death’”

“Can you give any examples of things on your bucket list?”

“If you do not have a bucket list, what is the reason?”

For many of us we are on the journey of life through different road networks.  Some joined on super highways, some on dirt tracks and some on 'B' roads.  At different stages of our lives some have been great navigators and map readers and found routes that created some 'short cuts' whereas some have lost their way and ended up taking a much longer and more complicated journey route.

How has your life journey been?  Are you on the road you need to be for the journey you need to make?  Are you finding yourself on an 'A' road, when you need to be on the Autobahn? 

What is your life road map looking like for you, have you been travelling on the 'Chris Rea - Road to Hell' or the Clapton 'Highway to Heaven'?

This weekend I had the honour of accompany one of my most loved friends to pay tribute to her father in his recent passing and to provide her with support throughout the experience.  Having lost my own father in 2007, the memory of the passing is still pretty prominent to me and this experience brought that home.  So, this poised a few questions. 

We are all guaranteed death, that makes some people quite practical in their approach to death and some families are quite proactive in their planning and view in future arrangements.  What is your view and thoughts?

1.  Do you consider the passing of a loved one as total sadness, devastation and distraught or an occasion to acknowledge, pay tribute and celebrate the life?
2.  Have you made any plans for your own passing?  Would your family know your wishes (funeral or cremation, type of service, type of coffin etc.)?
3.  Have you made provision for the finances of your passing?  Do you know how much an average service and arrangements costs?
4.  Have you made a will?
5.  Have you a point of reference for your savings, policies, documents etc. for people to locate and sort through your estate at your time of passing?

Have you had an experience of death that made you respond or react in a way that surprised you?

What is your view to death and is this a subject that is discussed openly within your family or friend group?