Back
in 1994, I was planning a trip to Florida. In discussing thoughts
with Chris, my best friend and co-conspirator for the journey,
we had decided to spend time in Orlando and the Florida Keys.
As
we kicked around different stops and ideas, we discovered a place
where we would be able to participate in a dolphin swim program.
Real interaction with a dolphin. We decided to do it and had a
fantastic day and a wonderful experience.
Here’s
the thing about swimming with dolphins. When you’re organizing
it, it’s something that you believe is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
About
three years later, in 1997, Terry and I went swimming with dolphins
twice. Once again in the Florida Keys and then in Mexico on our
honeymoon. Then, in 2009, Terry and I were on vacation with our
friends Ellen and Richard, and we found ourselves in the Florida
Keys with a dolphin swim on our agenda.
I
have had the terrific fortune to enjoy a once in a lifetime experience
on four separate occasions.
So,
here’s a question for you: What are some experiences—what we could
agree might be once in a lifetime experiences—that you would love
to do? By asking the question, I’m wondering where you might go
with your thoughts.
I
imagine many people would look toward travel. International travel,
especially to distant shores, can be something you aren’t able
to plan often or repeatedly.
In
conversations with some friends over the years, I know that some
specific and personal creativity have come into play. Events others
might not find as interesting or awesome, but to one specific
person they are incredibly meaningful.
One
friend wanted to meet a chef she loves. She’s had the chance to
eat in two of his restaurants, and if she could ever have an afternoon
in a kitchen working on creating different culinary delights with
him, that would be a never equaled again moment for her.
Another
friend went in a similar direction. She wanted to meet some celebrities.
Something in a relaxed setting, perhaps having a drink in a quiet
bar or inviting them over to grill a meal and sit outside talking.
The
answers covered a lot of fabulous ground. Travel into space was
brought up, preferably on a journey to the moon and back. During
his first term, someone wanted to meet President Obama in the
Oval Office.
Once,
the subject came up around a table while having lunch with a few
people at work. A person said she saw the question as having two
types of answers, plans and dreams. In each situation, it may
ultimately be a rare occurrence. However, plans could involve
things anyone could do if they lined up the necessary elements.
Dreams though, those might not happen regardless of making plans.
Anyone could work on making a trip to Australia. Bit different
to try and get Lady Gaga or Tom Hanks to come to your house to
bake cookies and swap entertaining stories.
Me?
I
don’t know. I think I’d like to do some traveling. I also would
actually love to have President Obama show me around the White
House for two or three hours. But I may have become a bit jaded
and cranky as I’ve grown older. I know I’ll never be able to see
and do everything, so my preferences these days is to be with
friends and family doing something that makes us happy. Not quite
once in a lifetime, but definitely a making the most possible
out of every moment.