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Throughout the years, both formative and adult, I've often pondered this topic as many do. I've found that what becomes important to you changes with life experience. One would hope that we would all like world peace, to end starvation, and educate the masses. These wishes are universal and we do what we can in our individual lives. We each make our small mark on this planet, hopefully enriching others. My Top Ten list contains goals of which I've been fortunate to reach, others, are wishes, hopes, and dreams.

Like David Letterman, I'll start with number ten.

10. Take better care of my body. Funny how such an important task falls to number ten on the chart! I skip meals when I'm working outside, I still smoke (yes, I know), rarely go for medical checkups. I'm sure this one will move up further on the list as I get even older than I am now.

9. Visit the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. I've never traveled to Europe, and I have a very high respect for the discipline of dressage, having made an honest attempt to master the very low levels for ten years. The Spanish Riding School is a Mecca for dressage. The horses are magnificent, traditionally trained with no shortcuts and the gentlemen that do the training are incredibly dedicated as it takes many, many years to master it.

8. Learn to speak the language of my ancestors, French. French was spoken at the supper table when I was quite young. Whatever phrases I learned have been lost. I do remember a few words my Grandfather taught me, but French expletives are best spoken, not typed.

7. Have enough money to live without working. My independent streak is counterproductive to corporate work and it is a real chore to get through the day. If I hear "just go with the flow" one more time, I'll never reach my goal.

6. Learn to cook. I'm a walking disaster in the kitchen. My meals are usually a mix of blood and fire. Lately I've been watching a number of cooking shows and most likely, will continue to do just thatwatch.

5. Communicate more personally with my family. I'm great at writing emails, but personal trips to see them or even calling seem to be difficult to me. I've no clue why, but it could be that Thanksgiving Day ten years ago when it was my turn to cook. I guess I still hold a grudge over the comment, "Turkey is not supposed to stink".

4. Go to the Kentucky Derby. This is one that I've been fortunate enough to attain. What an experience! It's just you and eighty thousand of your closest friends. I find myself with tidbits of memories, like the flowers braided into the lead pony's mane, and the headache as a result of mint juleps. Belching bourbon and mint the following day doesn't bode well for your love life trust me.

3. Finish my novel. Yes, I know. We're all novelists in our minds, but I'd really like to get it all down on paper. Publishing is a distant thought.

2. Have my own ranch and live a simpler life. Surprisingly, this is one my husband and I have accomplished. Working and living on a ranch is hard work, but I relish each and every moment.

1. Breed, own, and train a champion Quarter horse. Horses are my life, period. I've always had one and was lost for about ten years when I didn't. They've taught me much about life, patience, understanding, frustration, forgiveness and the big one, love. When I pass on, I want my headstone to simply read, "She loved horses."

Learn more about this author, Maureen Bordelon.
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