Bucket List ~ Part 1

Taken a few years ago, me petting a tiger!

       Bucket Lists....do you have one? Have you ever thought about what you would put on a bucket list if you had one? Surprisingly enough this is one list that I have not written down. That is funny only because I am the queen of list making! I have lists for everything reminding me of what I need to get done and in what sequence. Yes, I am a little (ok alot!) OCD about details. But in my defense, if I don't write it down, I don't remember it! I deal with the organization of events and plans that involve a gazillion details...my brain files filled up a long time ago and I do not have the ability to remember everything! I joke about my brain being on sticky notes but its true....until I started losing all the sticky notes! So now I have notepads nearby. Ok, I got off track on list making haha. If you read my blogs, you will notice a pattern of this happening! So....
       My bucket list. I have things I would like to do or accomplish before I die. I'm not sure why I've never written them down unless its that fear of never realizing my dreams and then having to look at it glaring back at me and mocking me from my written list. This particular incident though...happened unexpectedly but was definitely something I had always dreamed of doing...touching and petting a real life tiger. I have always had this insatiable love for these beautiful animals. I think they are absolutely the most magnificent creatures. I have always, always, ALWAYS wanted the opportunity to get up close and personal with one.  One day at a hot air balloon festival, I was walking around with friends and we came upon an exotic animal park's set up. Then I saw him. This gorgeous giant cat. And THEN I saw they were actually offering to take people in one by one for a photo opp. Oh my goodness, I don't think I have ever been so excited about something in my entire life and I could not understand why no one else wanted to go in the cage! I didn't hesitate to go to the table and sign on the line saying I wouldn't hold them responsible if I died...yeh, you know what I'm talking about. lol. I wanted to take my son in with me who was only about 5 years old at the time but they wouldn't let me. He was too little and the tiger too unpredictable with a small child. So I went in alone. And then they took me out. ugh! The tiger was restless and the trainers had to walk him around and settle him back down. Then they let me in again. Four trainers were in this large cage with me, one holding the camera, two to the sides watching, and one (the important one!) had a chain wrapped around him and was attached to the chain around the tiger's neck. I suppose if anyone was going down, it would be him. You can kind of see him in the picture. He had a tight grip on the tiger and made sure he didn't eat me. I was instructed to get on my knees and put both hands pressing down on the tiger's shoulders and almost lay down on his back. I was so excited!! I started stroking his coarse fur before I thought to ask if I could pet him.  They said no, I should not do that LOL. ok, I'll stop petting him. :D oops. So I pressed down on this awesome creature's back and the pic was taken, and I petted him again before getting up and was safely escorted out. It all happened too fast!! But I was so thrilled. I am sure I was like a 5 year old in a toy store! I would love to do it again, but if not, I am so satisfied and grateful to have had that opportunity. Since then, even though that  was several years ago, I have thought about other various things that I would like to do or accomplish. Mostly they are things that require courage and facing some fears.  I have done some of them now and will share them in future posts. My brain is now thinking of more things I'd like to add to my bucket list. Adventure is calling....its time to look beyond my fears, be courageous and live life!