Humanist

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

Dear my 100-year-old self,

I pray you don’t have dementia. That is a horrible disease which your papa was unfortunate to be afflicted with.

And some who he trusted the most took advantage of his illness to betray him deeply.

They thought they would easily get away with dishonoring your papa’s memory and destroying his legacy.

But, they under estimated your zeal to do that which in his lucid moments you promised your papa.

They also under estimated how much your siblings and mama loved you. They did not see your back up support system coming.

They also under estimated the friends network you have; social capital that came in handy in your fight for the truth and justice.

One battle at a time you fought, with your friends holding you up, until eventually won.

I hope you can remember how you felt today when you received the good news from the ace legal team that had your best interests and fought hard for and with you.

You know, the news debunking a lie that some criminals were spreading about the ongoing court case in which you are challenging a document said criminals forged and purport it to be the last will and testament of your father.

I hope you are still able to read and write for yourself. And to remember how so good you feel about yourself today.

Your writing juices flowed, as you extracted data from official government statistics to author a fact-based situation analysis for work, as part of a response to a call for proposals you are co-authoring with colleagues from the global north.

If you are now unable to read and write, I hope your ears are fine and that you can listen and hear one of your descendants read this letter to you.

Perhaps the child or grandchild of your dear niece, Pamela Mitchell, who took you out for a treat on women’s day 2025.

I hope you are looking back at your legacy with satisfaction that when it mattered you were there for those who love you and they for you, even now.

And, seriously, thank you for your service to humanity and country👏🏿

Yours truly,

You @ 56 going on 57.