Publications
Partners
Scott Dunlop
“What are the top things on your bucket list?” Karen asked me the other day. As my partner, she was probably nervous I’d suggest something like going over the Niagara Falls in a barrel with her, or tattooing my forehead with stars.
My immediate reaction was more sedate: “First on my bucket list is NOT DYING”, I said.
She insisted that I share something, though.
Her suggestion of a tandem bungee jump was out. After all, I’m a dad, and my kids need me to teach them how to break appliances and overindulge at braais, and I can hardly do that if I’m splattered over a riverbed.
That got me thinking. I used to love all sorts of daredevil activities. I’m typing this with hands more decorated with scars than a dictator’s mock-military jacket has medals. I’ve skinned my knees, elbows, scalp and most parts of my body in the pursuits of fun and experience. But now I have three little reasons to exercise caution.
That’s because I want to survive long enough to see them fulfilling bucket lists of their own. In fact, that’s the first one on my list. I’d love to see them travelling, exploring, trying, failing and trying again - just making the most out of life’s opportunities.
I do realise, though, that, as a parent, I can’t just live vicariously through my kids. Also, I can’t keep them in bubblewrap (although we all love a good popping session). That said there are some things I’d like to do with them.
I can’t promise a whole list (I’m a procrastinator), but I’m sure I can manage at least three things:
My immediate reaction was more sedate: “First on my bucket list is NOT DYING”, I said.
She insisted that I share something, though.
Her suggestion of a tandem bungee jump was out. After all, I’m a dad, and my kids need me to teach them how to break appliances and overindulge at braais, and I can hardly do that if I’m splattered over a riverbed.
That got me thinking. I used to love all sorts of daredevil activities. I’m typing this with hands more decorated with scars than a dictator’s mock-military jacket has medals. I’ve skinned my knees, elbows, scalp and most parts of my body in the pursuits of fun and experience. But now I have three little reasons to exercise caution.
That’s because I want to survive long enough to see them fulfilling bucket lists of their own. In fact, that’s the first one on my list. I’d love to see them travelling, exploring, trying, failing and trying again - just making the most out of life’s opportunities.
I do realise, though, that, as a parent, I can’t just live vicariously through my kids. Also, I can’t keep them in bubblewrap (although we all love a good popping session). That said there are some things I’d like to do with them.
I can’t promise a whole list (I’m a procrastinator), but I’m sure I can manage at least three things:
- Take them on a plane to another country, and show them there’s so much more to the world than our back yard.
- Build a snowman with them. That was a big part of my childhood, and I’d love to be able to show them how to roll the frozen carpet into a ball, then add another ball and decorate with sticks and an old hat.
- This list thing is hard. Is it ok to stick to two things?
- Ah, what the heck- bring on the bungee cord, and let’s take the plunge. Will you be joining me?
