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If I Ran the World

When my oncologist told me that I had myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) in 2017, she showed me a chart with my life expectancy as ten years. Recently, I received my new credit card - the expiration date is 2027. I started wondering will I be here to renew this card? What kind of world will it be post-2027?

What will I miss if I exit the planet in 2027? My cousin has two cute grandsons. I was hoping to see them grow up. Will I be here to cheer them on as they graduate from high school?

My mother turns 92 this year. Because my great-uncle lived to be 100, I have been telling Mother that she's going to live to be 101 to pass Uncle Bill, then I will live to be 102 to show off! Wouldn't it be awesome if this happened?

I remember learning to type in ninth grade. In the 1970s, educators encouraged girls to take typing and shorthand classes. The idea was so we could support ourselves as a secretary. I never used the shorthand, but I had no idea how vital learning the keyboard was for future devices. Maybe we will soon be like Star Trek and only speak our commands.

Will I live long enough to ride in one of those self-driving cars? How much smarter will my smartphone get?

If I ran the world

I used to say to parents of my students, "Yes, I think getting your child's vision evaluated is an excellent idea. If I ran the world, all students would have their vision and hearing checked before school started every year." Here are some of my ideas if I ran the world.

Fashions

I know I sound like Miss Crankpants when I say this, but I think ripped jeans look silly on most adults. If I wore jeans with holes in them, I wouldn't look fashionable - I would look like I was getting ready to clean out my garage.

For example, I have a photo of my great-grandmother and two great-aunts in the 1920s wearing the ugliest dresses I have ever seen. I am sure my Great-Grandma Leota made those dresses with what was available to her. Ripped jeans were for working the land, certainly not for school or church. I wish the grunge fad would fade away.

A few years ago, my mother and I were in a fast-food restaurant when Mother reported that a young man was exposing himself in the parking lot. His pants were down, and you could see his underwear. The young man behind the counter explained it as "sagging." "Well, it looks nuts!" Mother exclaimed. People around nodded in agreement. How did showing off your underwear become cool?

Politics

One of our policies at Blood-Cancer.com is not to discuss politics. Don't worry. I don't even read most of the political posts my friends post on Facebook. I would like to see people agreeing to disagree and not as much division between the political parties.  Why do we have to know everyone's political affiliation anyway?

Television and families

I don't get so-called reality television. Some people are crazy about watching The Bachelor, but to me, it is not entertaining to see someone react to their disappointment when the cameras are rolling. I would like to see some old-fashioned variety shows again. Remember Ed Sullivan? Just google him, young people.

Parents need to be present for their children. I see many young parents on their phones when they should be engaging with their toddlers. What is so impressive on the phone that takes you away from your present life?

Make time to read aloud to children in person. It's crucial to read aloud to youngsters before they start school, but don't stop reading aloud to them after learning to read themselves. Reading aloud is a way for families to discuss their values and their choices, including mistakes.  In other words, reading aloud to children helps you bond with them.

A cancer cure

All you brilliant people, we don't need any more apps for our cell phones. We need a cure for cancer. Invent that!

I told a friend my life expectancy, and she said, "No one knows when they will die, you could get hit by a truck tomorrow!" Gee, pal, you know how to cheer up a girl, don't you? A friend from church said, "You are going to Heaven, so don't worry." I am not worried - I don't want to rush the trip.

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This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The Blood-Cancer.com team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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