The Bucket List I Never Knew I Had

 

I didn’t even know I had a bucket list, at least not until a few weeks ago. I had absolutely no idea I was about to cross a nearly impossible item off my unknown list.

 Don’t get me wrong. I’ve made several list-worthy achievements. I’m the first on both sides of my family to graduate college. I am a veteran eclipse chaser, travelled to the United Kingdom (I loved Scotland) South America, the Mediterranean, and even Russia (twice). And now I am comfortably retired. Not bad for someone who never even bothered to compile a bucket list.

I am the author of several books for young adult and middle grade youth. Some have won awards, including one I received only two months ago from the International Literacy Association for my debut non-fiction book, Unlawful Orders published by Scholastic Focus in 2022. They designated me one of their "authors to watch" in children's nonfiction. 

 
But now I have made the big leagues. As of August,2023, I am also a PBS pundit. That item is worth more to me than everything else on my phantom list.

 

This began in July, 2023, when I received an inquiry from Christian Valle, the TV production manager at KRWG public radio, on the campus of New Mexico State University (NMSU). He planned on creating a documentary on Clara Belle Drisdale Williams, a distinguished NMSU alumna. Mr. Valle wanted to interview me. Because of the research I did on her and her sons for Unlawful Orders, he considered me an “expert.”

 
Be still my beating heart! My recorded interview took one hour, and the minute it ended, I thought of a dozen things I had forgotten to say. I felt like anything but an expert. In my heart, I feared he thought he had wasted his time with me. Then I got an email saying the documentary, titled Clara Belle Williams: New Mexico Pioneer in Education, was about to air.

 
That was two weeks ago. I watched the documentary using the PBS app, and there I was. Several points from my interview were included. I feel honored to be identified with Clara Belle Williams, who taught crowded classrooms filled with students, including her own three sons, in a one room schoolhouse. If you are a teacher or a parent, or both, take a moment to magine the fortitude that required. Those three boys grew up to defend America during World War II, and then went on to become renowned Chicago physicians who saved countless lives. Meanwhile, Clara Belle continued educating hundreds. In 1980, NMSU, her alma mater, awarded her an honorary doctorate for her years of service to humanity. She believed in the power of education to mold lives.

Everything I learned about her impressed me. I was happy to be able to share my knowledge with others. Now and forever more, I am available on PBS. True, its not like being a star. There was no pay for this, just a “Special Thanks to” note in the credits that included my name. But this bucket list item will live on long after I have "kicked it."

The direct link to view the documentary Clara Belle Williams: New Mexico Pioneer in Education on PBS is - https://www.pbs.org/video/clara-belle-williams-new-mexico-pioneer-in-education-hgk3qr/ You can also see it on YouTube by clicking here: