dailyprompt-1873

Letter to Me at 100

Dear 100-Year-Old Tom

,

Hello from the TomT 2.0-man cave on March 10, 2025! I’m sitting here, imagining me at 100—hopefully still kicking, maybe with a few more wrinkles and a lot more stories. I don’t know where I am as I read this—maybe in a cozy chair with a cup of tea, or maybe in some high-tech pod with a robot nurse. Either way, I hope I am smiling.

Right now, I’m over 80 years old, living through a time that feels like a reality show gone wild! The world’s a crazy circus—debates about AI taking over our jobs, climate change melting our ice cream, and space travel like a never-ending game of ‘Where’s Waldo’ are everywhere. I can’t help but wonder what you’ve been up to since then. Did we finally figure out how to live sustainably, or did we just build a giant hamster wheel to solve climate change? Did people really hop on a rocket to Mars, or is that just another episode of “The Binge-Worthy Space Adventures”? Or did we somehow manage to surprise ourselves with something even more bonkers?

I hope you’re proud of what you are trying to do now, as it requires immense courage and determination. I’m genuinely curious about the journey you’ve embarked on and I’d love to know how it all turned out in the end. Did I take the risks I’m thinking about, the ones that can seem daunting but ultimately lead to growth? Did I let go of the stuff that’s weighing you down, both physically and emotionally, allowing yourself the freedom to soar into new opportunities? Embracing change can be challenging, yet it’s often necessary to reach our full potential and to discover who we truly are.

What’s life like at 100? Are you surrounded by family, friends, or maybe some cool new tech that keeps you company, like virtual reality experiences that let you revisit cherished memories? I hope you’ve got a few good laughs left in you—perhaps funny anecdotes from your younger days that never fail to bring a smile. And maybe you have a piece of advice for the younger generation, who are still sweating the small stuff in 2025; it’s important to remind them to cherish each moment, focus on what truly matters, and savor the beauty in life’s simplicities. After all, every wrinkle and grey hair tells a story, and your wisdom could help shape the future for those who come after you.

Take care, future me! I’m rooting for us to make it to you in one piece, preferably without any embarrassing falls or fashion faux pas. May your life be overflowing with memories worth keeping, filled with laughter, misadventures, and a million lessons learned—like never eat that weird street food again! Here’s to the years ahead—may they be as kind as your favorite pillow and as wild as a cat on a caffeine rush, embracing every twist and turn life throws our way, and savoring the quiet moments as much as those wild parties we probably won’t remember. I hope we remember to relish the little things, find joy in unexpected places, and never lose sight of our dreams.

With hope,
TomT 2.0

Daily writing prompt
Write a letter to your 100-year-old self.
View all responses

100 Years Ago

Dear Tom, it’s hard to believe that a hundred years ago you came into this world. It was shortly after the beginning of World War Two. You were only three years old when the war was over, so I am sure you do not remember much about this war. However, remember standing in front of the home and watching the military vehicles driving down the busy street a block and a half away going to Denver Federal Center maybe five miles west of home. It seemed like hours watching all those trucks going by. I am sure your parents talked about the war a lot when you were very young. I am sure their conversations left a lasting impression on you.

Remember your mother walking you to school when you started grade school. There was a busy street between home and school, and she wanted you to be safe. Miss Kusckan, Mrs. Keebler and Miss Lee are teachers one never forgets. All the boys had a crush on Miss Lee. She was young, blond and so sweet. Everyone’s dream was shattered when Mr. Groutt, the math teacher married her.

Life continues with junior high and high school. Those years were tough years. Our hormones were acting up and strange. Unfortunately, those were years of anger and hatred. We were mad at ourselves and everyone else in our life. Smoking and drinking became an important part of life.

Then came full time employment and the army. Remember when you took the military oath after being drafted and the night long train trip to Ft Leonard Missouri. The military sure changed your life and outlook about other people. Looking back at this time you learned so much about people by meeting people from all parts of the country, New York City, Florida New Orleans, California, Chicago, just to name a few. If Viet Nam wasn’t staring you in the face, you may have made the army your career.

Back from your military duty you were looking for love and someone to have a family and begin the life every young red-blooded American wanted. Your desires come true, and you meet a young lady from Nebraska. Then marriage, a home, two sons and good job. Life could not be better. Unfortunately, this dream came to an end after about eleven years.

Divorced, unemployed because your job was eliminated. These were challenging times for you. But you did not give up. During those times you met your future. You met her in a divorce support group. Ten years later marriage happened. you have now been together for over forty years. Yes, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Remember a year ago you were at deaths door and Doctor Death was holding the door open. You defied the odds that only three to five percent survive this kind of procedure and forty to fifty percent die within six months after the procedure due to some other illness. It was just not your time. Your journey is not finished.

After eighteen more additional years I am wishing you a Happy 100th Birthday! You have had quite the journey. You have met and interacted with thousands of individuals through this life and learned a lot. I must remind you that the purpose in life is to learn. Learn as much as you can in your life!

Sincerely, Your Subconscious.

Daily writing prompt
Write a letter to your 100-year-old self.
View all responses