MARTY WHITFORD
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Last month, I shared a little news from Whit's World — that a few days after this past Thanksgiving, doctors told a lifelong
friend of mine, Adam Gaspar, that he has a super-aggressive, inoperable brain tumor. Short of a miracle, they gave him six
to 12 months to live, and that's with extensive chemotherapy and radiation.
Adam, 42, his wife, Ann, and their six children ages 21 to 10, are squeezing everything they can out of every minute of every
day. They're truly living in the moment, and watching and being a part of that has been one of life's greatest blessings.
My buddy from the first grade, Adam Gaspar, recently renewed his vows with Ann, his bride of 20 years, as part of his Bucket
List.
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In mid-February, Adam, Ann and I saw "Bucket List." In the movie, two terminally ill men (parts played by Jack Nicholson and
Morgan Freeman) break out of a hospital's cancer ward and take a road trip to work through their Bucket Lists — wish lists
of things to do before they die.
Seeing the flick was a life-changing experience I feel compelled to share with the world.Don't waste a minute
You don't get to choose how you're going to die. Or when. You can only decide how you're going to live. Now. — Joan Baez
After we saw the film, each of us created our own Bucket List, and we already have begun putting dents in our last To Do lists.
Our soul-searching journeys began with Item No. 1 on Adam's Bucket List.
"The most important thing in the world to me is Ann and the kids," Adam shared with tearful eyes and a big smile, as I jotted
down his Bucket List.
Bucket List Item No. 1: On March 7, the Gaspars braved a blizzard and drove downtown to celebrate their 20th anniversary at
St. Mary's Chapel at St. Ignatius High School, from which Adam and I graduated 24 years ago. Adam and Ann recited their self-written
vows and rededicated their lives to each other in front of their six children.
I will never forget that day — nor will Adam, Ann or their children.
For the record, my lengthy Bucket List included advancing from my role as Senior Editor of sister publication Pest Management Professional to take the editorial helm at Landscape Management. I crossed that one off my list last month.
Other professional goals on my Bucket List include helping Landscape Management become the clear market leader in advertising — in addition to strengthening our existing No. 1 positions in circulation,
readership and editorial.
We all should make Bucket Lists today with goals for our personal and professional lives — and start taking steps now to reach
our full potentials. Don't be afraid. Bucket Lists are not about death. They're about changing the way we live and look at
life.
Contact Marty at 216/706-3766 or e-mail at mwhitford@questex.com
