Read this when I’m dead

This isn’t a farewell letter or a will. It’s a statement of gratitude — a future-facing message to my loved ones.

As an optimist, writing about my own demise might seem out of character. But once you grasp the overall perspective, you’ll realize it isn’t. I’ve always felt the need to explain myself so that my loved ones wouldn’t be left making “she would have wanted this…” assumptions.

When I pass away, I want you to know these things.

As I write this, I’m in Australia, soon to be in New Zealand, planning to go skydiving. It seems an appropriate time to share this message, just in case things don’t go as planned.

I love my life. It’s so incredible that I could die tomorrow and be at peace with that. I feel like I’ve already lived a thousand lives, and every new day is a bonus.

My friend Lauren and I have a not-really-a-joke about Thelma and Louise-ing it off a cliff once we reach a certain age. It’s not depressing; it’s grateful. We want to go out in style and the last thing we’d want is to outlive all our friends, attending their funerals.

I’m not afraid of death. We’re all going to die. Life is short. Mine is great. If it happens, know that I’m okay with that. The only reason I’d want to stick around is for my loved ones not to be sad. But I won’t let that change how I live my life.

I refuse to die with a bucket list.