Reporting back... from 2036
Dearest Ian,
Its been a quarter of a century since you began this
project. I suppose I should start with a thank you. Thanks for sticking in
there. Thanks for the thoughtful diligence and loving care. For the commitment
and the tenacity. It (You!) was absolutely worth it. And you made possible
everything that came afterward. You have, as you and E. used to joke, made a
huge dent in my universe.
The world has changed… dramatically. In almost every
imaginable way!
Technology has helped us to ensure that we can feed the
population of the entire world – we have these massive vertical farms; crops
with exposed roots systems. Food is pesticide free and mostly organic (if you
ignore the artificial light sources, spray-on nutrients, and complete lack of
soil.) Yes, there is an “Earth Grown” movement that insists on traditional
methods for agriculture and livestock. I tend to agree with them on the issue
of livestock, “grown meat” not really being my thing, but the vegetables we
order online are as good as anything that has come out of the ground – better,
since they have been engineered for taste and texture and not resistance to
adverse environmental conditions.
Doctors now routinely use nano-technology and organ-cloning to replace failing organs (which because they are grown from the patient’s own stem cells are genetically identical to the host and are not rejected.) We think folks are going to be able to live for hundreds of years.
We are reversing global climate change; adopting a
perspective of ourselves as stewards of a healthier earth; and replacing
industrial-revolution-era factories and methods with new, clean tech and
renewable energy. Resources are plentiful. Capitalism has evolved, softened. Individuals
are encouraged to contribute based on their skills, education, creativity and
are compensated accordingly (if not always equally.) It’s rare to see folks
starving or dying in the streets.
You’ll be pleased to know that racism and sexism are mostly
things of the past. People are encouraged to feel their feelings but act on
their thinking and greater numbers of children are raised free from abuse and
neglect. Gay oppression is non-existent.
Speaking of which, your wedding... Well, what can I say?
You guys were something. And of course, what’s a wedding without a family. Two awesome children. W., now 20, loving college and teaching
his professors almost more than he is being taught. Thank God he is as charming
as he is funny. Anyway, he hasn't gotten himself expelled yet. S. is a
senior in high school. She is brilliant and gracious and beautiful and has me
completely wrapped around her finger. And really, I wouldn’t change a thing. I
am not sure how I am going to cope with her going off to college next year. I
guess I’ll just have to focus on my knitting and periodically sob into E.’s shoulder. By the way, E. is doing great. You have nothing to
worry about. Just keep loving him and encouraging him to have big goals and to
stay at it.
Let me also share, because I know that it is important to
you, you have had a career. A good one. In fact, it is likely time to start
thinking about what is next. (Not retirement in the traditional sense but
rather a new set of projects; a new plan.) You have gotten to work in a
way that has required you to use all of your skills and has pushed you to increase
your abilities in ways that you have not yet even begun to dream.
For example, you can speak several languages without even
using automatic translation software. This allows you not only to communicate
but to have broader perspectives brought about by the way language changes the
way we think and process information.
You have managed huge projects based on your ability to
form relationships with others. People at all levels seek you out for counsel.
Every year you get more requests then you can grant from people who want to
work with you and from stakeholders who want you involved on their projects.
You have put together a fantastic team of creative, thoughtful, intelligent
folks who have moved beyond co-workers and have become part of your extended
family. You sit on boards of organizations and companies that are interesting
to you and you are known for your ability to ask challenging questions and
provide thoughtful input. You have mastered the process of thinking
strategically and then implementing that strategy through effective tactical
and operational methodologies.
You are regularly asked to speak, teach and lead workshops
and you get to travel to interesting and exotic locations as part of the
package. You are widely sought out for your ability to help people and groups
understand how to access their intelligence, define their values, and set and
achieve goals.
You have written and published both non-fiction and
fiction. Your periodic readings and annual story-performances are a joy to
watch. Of course, it’s just as fun to hang out with you when you pull out your
guitar or sit at the piano and everyone starts to sing (25 years turns out to
be enough time to become a competent musician.)
Similarly to the gains made in the world, resources are
not an issue in your life. We have enough money, time, energy to do what we
want. In part this stems from the fact that what we want is based on thoughtful
and intelligent decisions that allow us to live within our means but, given
that our lives are larger than we ever could have imagined that they would be
25 years ago, we have no complaints.
We live in a space that we are happy with and comfortable
in, which reflects and celebrates our successes. You guys have created this
awesome living environment. It is comfortable and simultaneously spacious and
intimate (no, not like the TARDIS – we have not yet upended the laws of the
physical universe.) Beauty and order comes easily and naturally into our
physical lives. We have friends and neighbors whom we love, respect and are
close to.
At 68 you continue to be healthy and fit. I would be lying
if I told you that you did not still have a soft-spot for sweets, but you are
surprisingly moderate in your diet and maintain an impressive schedule of
biking, swimming and core strengthening activities.
Things are immensely hopeful.
So… what can I tell you? What single point of wisdom can I
depart to help fortify you? What hand can I offer? How about… You’re absolutely
doing it right. Keep coming. And bring as many people along with you as you
can. Everyone of them. Open your heart full-out and bring them all along.
We’ll be waiting for you when you get here.
Love
ian
