A long time ago, Carter Chambers' philosophy professor suggested that his students compose a "bucket list," a collection of all the things they wanted to do, see and experience in life before they kicked the bucket (or died).
But while Carter was trying to define his private dreams and plans, reality intruded. Marriage, children, myriad responsibilities and, ultimately, a 46 year job as an auto mechanic turned his concept of a bucket list into little more than a bittersweet memory of lost opportunities and a mental exercise he occasionally thought about to pass the time.
Mean while, corporate billionaire Edward Cole never saw a list without a bottom line. He was always too busy making money and building an empire to think about what his deeper needs might be beyond the next big acquisition or cup of gourmet coffee.
Then life delivered an urgent and unexpected wake-up call to both of these men. Carter and Edward found themselves sharing a hospital room with plenty of time to think about what might happen next - and about how much of that was in their hands.
For all their apparent differences, they discovered they had two very important things in common: an unrealized need to come to terms with who they were and the choices they'd made, and a pressing desire to spend the time they had left doing everything they ever wanted to do.
So, against doctor's orders and all good sense, these two virtual strangers check themselves out of the hospital and hit the road together for the adventure of a lifetime.
Adding and crossing items off their list while taking in the grandeur and beauty of the world around them, they grapple with the difficult questions and the even more difficult answers that plague all of us each day.
And, without even realizing it, they become true friends. So if you have not seen this movie, take the time to rent it . Then sit down and make your own bucket list. This is not the type of list you make in just one day, but one you add to and check off time and time again during your life.
What better way to start off the new year with ideas and dreams to look forward too. You can even share your list with us
But if you have not seen The Bucket List movie, go out and rent it, it is really that good.