By Jacqueline Colaco
There have been innovative bucket challenges introduced during 2014 like the Ice Bucket Challenge followed by the Rice Bucket Challenge. Following them, what hit headlines if I may rename the campaign in keeping with a catchy nomenclature and compatible containers used towards the objective of a cleaner India, is the Swachh Bucket Challenge!
Aged 68 now, while preparing my Bucket List of fun stuff yet to experience, I at times contemplate proposing a purposeful Bucket Challenge of my own! In anticipation of ‘kicking’ the esteemed item, my daily ponderings include serious issues of personal and domestic clutter clearing, completion of codicils to will documentation, putting finances in order , allotments for probable medical needs, plus orderly arrangement of files for a smooth transfer to successors! Wondering if I should relegate these to mere ‘timepass thoughts’ or take them up as a ‘Bucket in Order’ Challenge?’ Do you too?
Not long ago I’d planned for never growing old while there was still a song in my heart and a tune on my lips. Well the former remains, but try as I might, the vocal chords just don’t stretch to that required demisemiquaver anymore to hit the correct high note of my favourite ‘Autumn Leaves’. A reminder somehow, that this song now is in sync with my time in life.
Similarly, no more can I huskily croon ‘Summertime’ without a care or thought that a summer’s day now entails hiding from excess sunlight because it is too hot and energy levels are depleted; it’s a struggle to down a single beer, and I must control what I eat to check on excess weight so as not to overload my replaced arthritic lower limb joints. These truths are pitted against memories of halcyon days when I’d gladly guzzle two Beers or a couple of Fenis over an afternoon lazing with local friends on a Goa beach, enjoying their native cuisine unmindful of calories and with no dearth of stamina, ever game for a swim; and back to the sands again for a singsong by moonlight. So serene were the scenes there during the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s, akin to my home city, Bangalore.
Getting Down to Brass Tacks
Now as time ticks by, I realize that dreams belong to the night, while daytime priority is my ‘Bucket in Order’ Challenge. Sharing therefore with readers who are at my stage of life and perplexed that ‘do or die’ we have to ‘get on with it’! Most important is to make a Will. Many shy away from this important document, as it acknowledges mortality. Although termed the Last Will and Testament, the last may be this moment, so let’s get down to brass tacks, as lack of a Will leads to long drawn out legal procedures for our heirs. Document your possessions category wise into immoveable, moveable and financial. Decide who all you want to bequeath these to and in what proportions. Personal effects may be listed separately from a will, yet kept along with it. Consult a lawyer for drafting and registering the Will to safeguard interests of inheritors. If inclined, bequeath through an endowment by a legacy in your will to deserving Organisations assisting the underprivileged.
Medically, should you land in an unforeseen condition when unable to verbally communicate decisions, you may opt to prepare a living will in advance, in case you do not wish to be placed on life support systems. Decide too, whether you’d like to donate your eyes, other organs, or your body for medical research or prefer a burial or cremation. In case of proposed donations, get started with registrations for the same with the appropriate medical colleges, hospitals or organizations promoting these causes. Indicate the type of ceremony you’d like performed. This makes all much easier on those who have to decide these issues through their moments of grief, especially if they come from abroad and have to grapple with unfamiliar procedural systems here. While alive, clear out the excess in the home. There is so much we have not used in years. It makes one feel good to give. There are jumble sales held by Charitable Organisations where proceeds are used for the benefit of the underprivileged.
Certainly the greatest challenge is to prepare spiritually for the end. A sense of peace and comfort prevails when this sphere of life is re-examined and stock taken as to how we’ve fared against the promises made at Birth, First Holy Communion and Confirmation and in embracing the vocation we’ve chosen as singles, married or religious. ‘Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s has been a clear principle of guidance by Jesus for conducting ourselves as mortals. It provides a good starting point as we measure these dimensions in our life and deal with them by renewing our efforts to embrace this tenet and those laid down in The Ten Commandments, The Sermon on the Mount and many other reflections found in the Scriptures.
Gratitude to God for whatever showers of blessings we’ve received through life goes without saying and should enable us continue to trust in His loving kindness to see us through at our end. Experiences in life may have been good or bad, at times even ugly and beyond comprehension. “Why me” is a question often asked when difficulties descend! We must also ask “why me” when I was specially chosen against others for a myriad benefits. It’ll help us through when the unknown strikes.
How we’ve used the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit in conjunction with the parable of the ‘talents’ makes for easy assessment of how we’ve journeyed. Till our last breath we can resort to best practice of these. God is a forgiving Master as we know only too well so let lapses lie yet pursue remedies to right them until we die.
Life is unpredictable, yet death is certain. Let us prepare for it.
Will you please partner my ‘Bucket in Order’ challenge?
Jacqueline Colaco at 68 describes herself as an ‘Armchair Minister’, a ‘People’s Person’ and a ‘Winner, not a Whiner’!
A former Bank Executive whose highly active and successful life underwent a sea change when Rheumatoid arthritis struck at age 37, she resigned when 45 and co-founded Arthritis Foundation (I). She passionately advocates for better accessibility infrastructure in India to enable mainstreaming persons with disabilities. Also promotes awareness against female foeticide/infanticide.
Owing to limited mobility and therefore largely housebound, Jacqueline’s interests range from a love of her garden to reading, music and films, TV, writing for the newspapers and other publications, interacting on social networks and visitors.
She has participated assisted by an escort in 10 marathons in her wheelchair, raising funds for disability NGOs. Also involves in a Saturday soup kitchen that feeds about a hundred hungry homeless. Enjoys her monthly outing To Catholic Club for intellectual stimulation at a book club called ‘IBrowse’.
She has retired to a Senior Citizen Home at Bengaluru to fulfill her dream of being part of community caring and sharing.
In 2010 she published her autobiography ‘Just Me, Jacqueline on My Way’ typed with a single finger!