Views of the Future
#MondayLetters
Monday, 1st January, 2053.
It's crazy, I believe my time machine finally worked!
The year or era to which I've journeyed remains shrouded in uncertainty, yet an uncanny blend of novelty and familiarity surrounds me. Ah look, it says on the billboard that it's the first day of the first month of the year 2053! Have I just dived 30 years into the future?
Alright, stay composed, Delight, so as not to rouse undue curiosity. Ah, but already, passersby cast intrigued glances in my direction. Perchance it's my attire, an abnormality amidst this era of the future. I need to go steal some clothes, haha.
First off, this place looks so good! Natural flowers adorn every street corner. It's hard to tell if it's midday or midnight; the streets are brilliantly lit, and people are everywhere, chatting and laughing heartily. The cityscape has evolved, featuring sleek, eco-friendly skyscrapers adorned with vertical gardens. Solar panels gleam on rooftops, a testament to our commitment to clean energy. Public transportation has become impressively efficient, with electric buses silently gliding through the streets. The air is noticeably cleaner, and green spaces have expanded, offering fresh air in our bustling city.
Did I mention I haven't spotted a single fuel-powered vehicle? I guess the push for renewable and sustainable energy has finally paid off, haha! I guess the motion and propositions for renewable and sustainable energy paid off eventually, haha!
My next mission is to try to locate my old house while hoping no one recognizes the younger me from 30 years ago. The road network is astonishingly beautiful. There are no scraps or plastic trash littering the sidewalks…in Lagos! I don’t know, but I’m really contemplating not returning. And there it is, I've found my old residence. It looks different now, but the core structure remains the same. The neighborhood is surprisingly peaceful, with adorable cats and puppies all around. The gutters are clean, and every compound has lush vegetation. Intriguing. I don't think my family still lives here; I see unfamiliar faces in the house. However, I can't help but notice how content everyone looks. Perhaps, as a society, we've gotten things right after all.
As I ponder, it hits me: it's been 30 years; I've probably have a family of my own. I've always thought of moving and settling in Europe with them, so I can’t say where exactly I would find myself this time. I’m guessing it’ll be in Venice or Amsterdam, strumming my guitar on a balcony overlooking the serene waters, my beautiful wife enjoying the melody, oblivious to her steaming cup of tea on the rattan table. Or perhaps we're on a road trip, wheels spinning, my wife and I on our way to our son’s graduation. Maybe I’m not interested in knowing all the details. Maybe I’m better off without a clue of how life turned out for me.
Time is fleeting; my machine will transport me back to 2023 in moments. But before I depart, I must express my contentment with what I've seen. I haven't seen them yet, but I'm sure my parents and siblings are living peaceful, happy lives wherever they are, and I'm sure we remain closely connected.
Beside me, I've etched my name on the wall, haha, and alongside it, the beautiful quote by John Wayne, “Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday.”
See you soon,
— Dee.