When I was in Juneau, Alaska, I found an art installation that featured large chalkboards, lot of pieces chalk and these words:
“Before I die I want to ____________”
written over and over again.
The answers that people have chalked in are sad and beautiful and unexpected:
“Find a job I love. Eat more bacon. Say ‘I love you, I love you, I love you.’”
That is my answer, one up from the bottom.
“WRITE A BOOK.”
Thirty years ago, I would have answered the question exactly the same way.
However, back then I wasn’t writing. I was just dreaming about being a writer. I spent a good ten years, wanting to write a book and doing absolutely nothing about it.
But now that I have settled into doing the work, I don’t ever want to stop.
I bet the rain in Juneau has erased my words by now.
I am glad that I got to write them.

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