Dear 80 year old me,

Dear 80 year old me,

How's it going? Sorry that's probably a weird way to start a letter, but I wasn't sure how to start the letter and it seems like you're supposed to ask how people are doing. Although, I'm not sure you are able to respond, so maybe that doesn't matter.

I hope you're doing well. I know you've had some rough patches because I've had rough patches, but you've probably had even more since you're 54 years older than me. I'm glad you got through them all though. I guess we're stronger than we think.

I hope you have some grandkids by now. I'm not personally ready to have kids at 26, but I do plan to have kids one day. If I managed to make a lot of money, maybe you have four kids, but I hope you have at least two like you want. Then I hope you have grandkids, but this year I've seen our mom become a grandma and it just looks delightful. If you don't have grandkids, maybe you have some grandnieces or nephews who bring you joy.

I also hope that you've published a book. But if you haven't, hey, it's not too late. Besides, self-publishing is a thing so just go for it. I even bet by now the self-publishing has gotten to be higher quality.

I also hope you've managed to travel more. Although, I would honestly be surprised if you haven't left the US in 54 years. But even if you haven't, I hope you've seen more states (all 50 would be pretty sweet). I do hope you've gone back to Ireland since finishing your master's (let's hope we managed to get that degree--I'm not sure that's happened at this stage).

I wonder what the world looks like for you. I guess because you're there, it hasn't fully burned down which is reassuring because it sure seems like it will some days. I guess just because you and the future are there doesn't mean the US survived or that the world is in a good place, but it being there is something I guess. I hope you're doing what you can to make the world better because, even if it's in a better place than the world now, I doubt it's a perfect world.

I hope you're listening to what young people are saying. They may have some new ideas that you have trouble understanding, but that doesn't mean their ideas or wrong or unimportant. Listen and do some research and you'll probably have your mind open in even better ways.

Anyways, 80 year old me, be well.

Love,
26 year old me

(Prompt by Jacqui Broderick)

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