May 20, 2020, is our anniversary, and we celebrated by writing postcards to ourselves in May 20, 2010. Today, Craig, Emily, and Helen reassure their 10-years-younger selves. And Sally…I wouldn’t call it reassuring exactly?
Craig Childs
You don’t want to know. You’d overthink it and plan inappropriately. Let it come.
You’re getting back from the Atacama today, May 20, 2010, your gear sweaty and salt stained, and you were looking for how the world ends, how seas dry up and life blows away. What did you find, that the world doesn’t end, that rain continues to fall? Surprise!
My advice is to double compassion at every turn, for every possible thing. Kiss more often. Wish less. Besides that, you can’t go wrong, and don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Craig
Read the rest of Craig’s LWON posts, including the trip to the not-so-dead Atacama.
Helen Fields
A lot has changed in the last 10 years, but you know what hasn’t? Postcard hoarding. Yes this is from that drive across the country in 2004. Hang in there – everything’s going to be ok. Love, Helen (2020)
Me, May of 2010
Same Address
Read the rest of Helen’s LWON posts, including this one about travel. Remember travel?.
Emily Underwood
From: The Future….(no spoilers, sorry)
May 2020
Dear Emily,
Don’t worry about it.
Love,
YourselfTo: Emily Underwood, circa 2010
Limbo, State of Transition????????*
*If address not valid, pls forward to Black 1999 Honda Civic DX (or tent)
Read the rest of Emily’s LWON posts plus one about a different near-apocalypse, which she also lived through.
Sally Adee
Dear Sally on May 20, 2010 -Please commit the following to your memory and soul today –I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.
(Bene Gesserit Litany againt Fear)But don’t worry everything’s fine!
Read the rest of Sally’s LWON posts, including her own pre-or-post-apocalyptic fiction.
You, Dear Reader
Would you reassure your 2010 self? Or warn them?
Now maybe step ahead 10 years and write to your present selves from an imagined 2030. Sounds like fun!
Sounds interesting. Also, given the last 10 years, sounds terrifying.
Terry: Rose Eveleth’s fantastic podcast, Flash Forward, just turned 5 and she did just what you’re proposing. Check it out: https://www.flashforwardpod.com/2020/05/12/five-years-of-flash-forward/