Thursday, October 23, 2008 Cajucom: Buckets over the list By Regina Cajucom Serendipity Couch
BEING a movie enthusiast, I have in mind certain films I'd rather watch in absolute, total silence -- or alone. These are what I refer to as "talk flicks", where there is not much action, and mostly what characters do are talk, talk, talk; the only way you can appreciate these movies is if you really listen to the dialogues (classic examples are the Al Pacino-starrer "Scent of a Woman," and Ethan Hawke's "Before Sunrise").
I've had a copy of "The Bucket List" on my laptop since early this year. I would always start watching, then my adorably hyperactive, assertive little girls would barge in and make all kinds of demands, requests and chitchats. And then Mama's demise...I suddenly felt the strong urge to watch this movie.
I still did not have the chance to watch it sooner, and probably for good reason (much like rock salt on fresh wound).
I finally got to see it over the weekend...ten minutes into the movie (undisturbed), I was hooked.
I knew it was going to be one of my personal favorites. The last twenty minutes of the film, though, I was literally crying buckets.
"The Bucket List" tells the story of two people -- one an auto mechanic, Carter (Morgan Freeman) and the other, Edward (the magnificent Jack Nicholson), a billionaire -- who became friends in the hospital where they were both diagnosed with cancer, and each given a year at most, to live.
Carter remembers a college professor who required his class to make a list of things he wants to do before "kicking the bucket."
Together, they made their bucket list which included (1) witness something truly majestic; (2) help a complete stranger for a common good; (3) laugh 'til you cry; and (4) get back in touch, among others.
Needless to say, you must see the movie for the complete list. I guarantee you it is worth your time.
This film hit home. My Mama had her own "bucket list" written way back 1991, long before the writer of this film came up with its plot. Ok, it's not the things she wanted to do, but more like things she wanted to happen.
I found it by her bedside table the morning of her death, complete with tick marks for all that were already given to her.
Over dinner a few days after my Mama was interred, my friend Rae comforted me by saying that Mama is in a much better place, had lived a full life, and was very blessed to have four out of five in her list. So true.
Most of us in our 30s, others in midlife and some in their advanced years, may have a hard time even drafting a list -- what with most people now being out of focus, lacking perspective and still uncertain of what our life-purpose is.
The exact day this article comes out (the 23rd) is the 40th day after Mama's death. For Catholics, this bears significance because it is believed the soul leaves the earth only on this day, based on the Biblical account of Jesus Christ having remained for 40 days after his resurrection before He ascended into heaven.
For others, this signifies the end of the mourning period. I hope it works that way.
While on top of the pyramids (one of their destinations under the list), Carter shared with Edward an ancient Egyptian belief that when a person dies, the gods will ask him two questions that would determine whether he can get through the gates of heaven:
"Have you found joy in your life?"
"Has your life brought joy to others?"
If this were true, Mama is now in Egyptian heaven.
The grand alumni homecoming of Pines City National High School (Main & Annexes) will be on November 22 at the Skyrise Hotel. For details, please contact the Alumni Association Pres. Engr. Ariel Cabutotan at (0906) 3027909 or cabutotanariel@yahoo.com.
