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Strike one off the ol’ bucket list

Have you heard the story about a man who, as he was about to mark a milestone birthday and turn 60, set out on his horse to ride  from Red Deer to a rodeo in Beechy, Saskatchewan, some 600 kms away?

He said he wanted to strike it off his bucket list.

He travelled with only the horse he was riding and a pack horse that carried all that he thought he needed – a tent, some supplies and his trusty guitar.

Each day ended with a stop to set up camp and let the horses rest overnight, and every morning began with a pack up before he would head back out on the road.

A eight days and a couple hundred kms into the journey, the horse he was riding injured its foot and rather than pressing on, the man decided the animal’s health was more important and decided to pack it up and head home.

All was not lost.  Someday soon, perhaps for his next birthday, he plans to make it back to the same spot where he was forced to stop and continue on to make it to his final destination.

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I love stories of people doing the impossible.  I love bucket list’s being whittled down.  I love taking a BIG birthday and celebrating it in a way no one expects.  I love bravery and determination.  I love thinking (and doing) outside the box.

This story really hits home for me.  For our family.  We too like to scratch things off our own bucket list, no matter how big or how small.  How easy or how hard.

But the real reason this story hits home, is that we know this man.  This amazingly brave man.  Jaia and Wes call him Grandpa.

And today is his 60th birthday.

Happy birthday, Grandpa.  Thanks for always being an inspiration to your kids and to your grandkids.  This will be one of the stories that will be told and re-told and passed down from one generation to the next.  And what a story it is!

We love you very much.

September 13, 2012 - 7:33 am

Mrs. D - What a lovely story, Shannen!! Happy 60th Mr. Fullerton!!!

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