I’m not sure where to address this since it’s unlikely you’ll be among the living. It doesn’t seem to be a great idea to live to be one hundred. You would probably have outlived most of your family and friends. That would be sad. Maybe I will reconsider and write to a considerably younger self who is still functional and happy.

I could not live without food, water, and air. I am a realist.

I was raised by parents who held me responsible for my actions. It was often unpleasant, since I was a rowdy kid. I learned early I was but a small cog in a machine. My behaviors had consequences, good or bad. Things went better if I behaved as expected. Being happy and having fun were not the greatest priority. Though I did not appreciate it at the time, I learned there is satisfaction and great value in learning to work. I am grateful for my parents for teaching me lessons that have helped me so much in life.

I believe our fate is the way we work with the hand we are dealt.

I wouldn’t want to try to be someone else for a day. I have spent seventy-four years learning I can only be myself. I haven’t becoome the person I should be yet.

I abhor the f—- word I hear bandied around so casually. It grates on my ears like fingernails on a chalkboard. I was in a restaurant for lunch yesterday when a man at a nearby table dropped the f-bomb for the edification of all in hearing range. Charming!

I prefer to sit this one out.

I would advise any teenager to persevere and not get distracted by what’s going on around them. Set some goals and work hard in school.