In the future, on your 50th birthday each person is given the chance to speak to their younger self at the age of 18 and impart any wisdom they’ve learned over the years.  As her impending birthday loomed, Claire took the time to make a list of all the things she wanted to remember to say to her younger self...

• Don’t be afraid to take chances, we’ll never regret them.


• Don’t fall in love with Gary, he’ll break our heart.


• Pay attention in school.


• Take that job in California.


• Learn to play an instrument and speak a foreign language.


• Travel more, see the world.

And the list went on and on.  On the day of her 50th birthday, Claire entered the room nervous, her mind racing, ready to burst with knowledge and advice. But as the older Claire came face to face with the younger Claire they both froze.  Mesmerized at the site of themselves at a different age, the two stood and stared at one another, taking in every inch of their other self. Older Claire tried to speak, yearning to reveal all she could to the person who will have the chance to relive her life knowing all she knew now, but no words came.  After a prolonged, seemingly endless silence, younger Claire was the first to open her mouth.  The older Claire waited with bated breath to hear what her younger self was going to say. Young Claire looked her older self up and down, “Wow, you let our ass get fat!” she blurted, then turned and stormed off.  “What a little brat!” older Claire thought as she crumpled up her list and stormed off in the other direction.

(*for A Copy of a Copy's illustration "Awkward")