Write a letter to your 100-year-old self.

The letter addressed to a 100-year-old self reflects on the wisdom and experiences of a long life. The writer expresses admiration for the centenarian’s mental agility and ability to share historical insights with younger generations. Memories of personal stories, including moments from the writer’s own childhood, showcase the importance of storytelling and cultural continuity. The letter discusses changes in society, governance, and health care, contrasting past and present values. It emphasizes optimism and gratitude towards the elder, who serves as a guiding figure and mentor. The heartfelt message concludes with wishes for continued health and happiness.

Hi Senior,

I hope this finds you in good health. Your agility and activity at senescence are good symptoms. They show that your organs are functioning well. They have kept you mentally alert and physically independent. May Almighty keep you active so long as you are among your near and dears.

While thinking about you, one thing that instantly comes to mind is your role as living history. You can instantly tell about things that happened a century ago. It is commendable that you have been capable of maintaining your sanity betwixt the many squalls that you faced. The younger generations can learn a lot from you. They should feel proud to have you with them.

It is heartening to see you speaking among the great-grandchildren. They are sitting around you in a semicircle and curiously listening to you. Your demeanour appears like a sagacious anchorite whose words flow like a musical fountain. Sitting in rapt attention, they seemed drenched in the atomised drizzle of the fountainhead. Your answers to their questions or endeavouring to quench their inquisitiveness, amazed children. It really enthuses a beholder. I love to see you disseminating knowledge and experience among children.

During our conversation, once you recollected days when you started going to school. It was the time when the country was under the yoke of the British Empire. You told me about your feelings as a boy and later when you were a young man. Your vivid descriptions of the happenings of that time are so lively that they resonate with contemporary people. It is not strange that young immersive children hear you.

It gives pleasure to converse with you on the scenario a century ago and beyond. You once told me about your grandfather. He used to share stories from his younger days. His stories were eyewitness accounts of his time. Continuity is vital. It makes a story lively so that a listener connects with it.

Your grandfather’s narration blending with yours, produces colourful yarns that weave a fine and colourful tapestry of culture and tradition. Children follow your words and love to hear you.

We met more than a quarter century later.  It was an occasion when we were co-passengers on a train that was travelling to our common destination. Travelling for a few miles or so in the cosy compartment of the train, you chose to get down mid-way. We parted our ways but not the souls. We remained connected with each other as a best friend. I like your words; you always look like a free-flowing stream. You did not like to be bonded.

We were on a journey, and it would not end till we reached our destination. Our destination is the same, but we would reach at different points in time. None of us know about our future, but we can reunite one day. Who knows? This reminds me of an incident at the time when India was vivisected, and a mass exodus was taking place. Millions of people were uprooted from their soil and were made homeless, devoid of belonging and their families. You were emotionally charged and told that in a trembling voice.

While sitting alone, I’m remembering your stories and experiences. They are the treasured possession. The memories come like flocks of white doves hovering over for some time and vanish. They leave a trail of sweet memories along with the memories of hard times. Reminiscing difficult times is equally important. You often say that the past is gone, one need not remember it to pain oneself. Nevertheless, it repeatedly comes and gives sweet nostalgic pain.

We shared several stories and experiences. Your experiences are much more varied and enriching because of your comparatively long exposure. The time you experienced has changed. It is clear from whatever exchanges we have had that you kept changing over time. All four quarters of the century were like a sloughing-off period. You are a seasoned and strong personality who emerges even more shining and rejuvenated after each period. You always wanted vigorous youths with a robust physique and a sound mind. It is not difficult to visualise why you often quoted Swami Vivekananda, a youth icon.

Your skin may look saggy, your physique frail and weak, but your soul is young and nascent, active and sharp. The deep lines on your face are the testimony of your long and rich experience. A gift that has been accorded by the Supreme Soul as a result of the hard penance you took.

We saw various ups and downs in life. You have observed many events which are now history. I feel that you were lucky to have been born in the pre-independence period. You have seen various times before and after the country got freedom from British rule. Did you see any difference between the two?

We have exchanged our views in long letters like this one. We used to exchange our views and thoughts by letters. In one such letter, once you expressed your concern about the almost same callous attitude of governance. The governance, which should have been people-centric, is ailing with the nuisance of bureaucracy. I do find it correct but the recent change in government has brought significant changes. You’d agree that a significant change is seen in every sphere.

We share a common liking for Mother Nature. We both have the same opinion that Nature, which gives us bounties, needs to be protected and taken care of. You have been watching the world for a long time. Now, the pace of Nature’s destruction has slowed considerably. The depletion of forest cover has been considerably contained. Additionally, the wildlife is teeming.

The average life expectancy has also been considerably increased. Health facilities have improved but the thing that ails is cupidity. It has increased, so much so that the health care system has become an extractor. They deceive innocent patients and blackmail them. This process takes as much money as possible, to the extent that the family becomes bankrupt. It is pathetic.

You have seen in your early life when humanity was of paramount importance. People helped each other. Now, in the current period, institutions like schools and hospitals have become money-minting organizations. A disparity is seen between rich and poor, which was also noticeable in your time. The annual school fee of a child reaches six to seven figures. Additionally, a private hospital charges an exorbitant fee. They justify these fees by exaggerating the seriousness of the patient.

You have always been optimistic and used to seeing things positively. Your insistence on positivity has had an osmotic effect on me. It is because of your positive approach; that I have started looking at things optimistically. As always, I thank you a lot.

Like always, this letter too has become long, but it is you whom can I pour my heart to. You have been my guide, mentor and friend and it is only you whom I believe and rely upon. I am grateful to you for your generosity in painstakingly going through my long and probably monotonous letter. I sincerely wish good health for you. This is the only thing that I can give.

This is a great respect from me to my dear centenarian friend. I feel that they are close to my heart. They are always ready to support me emotionally.

Be happy and healthy.

With deep affection and profound regards,

I beg to stay

Yours Sincerely,

XXX

-END-