Focal Point

Last night, I received the strangest call on my phone. Here is the conversation that took place:

Caller: Hello? Did this work?

ME: Who is this? This connection is terrible!

Caller: It’s me. Jon. I mean, you. From the past.

ME: What? That doesn’t make any sense —

Younger Self (YS): I found this number in a magazine, and figured I’d give it a try. It said I could call anybody I wanted from a different time.

ME: Wait, you found a magic phone number that lets you call anywhere in time, and you called your future self?

YS: What’s wrong with that?

ME: Nothing..just wouldn’t be my first choice.

YS: Well, anyways. I wanted to ask you a few questions, and I don’t know how much time I have.

ME: Okay, shoot. But, first what year is it where you’re calling?

YS: 1993. What year is it there?

ME: 2016

YS: Well, this Fall I am going to be starting classes at Central Michigan University. I have a passion for writing so I’m going to study Journalism, I think, but I don’t know if that’s going to be the right fit for me. And, what will I do after college? Will I meet somebody? Will I have kids? I don’t even know what kind of father I would be.

Me: To answer your questions: You should pursue Journalism as your major. You’ll hate interviewing, but you’ll learn a lot that you’ll need later for your different jobs. You will struggle to find a job after college, but it will be a huge break for you, and then you’ll move on to bigger and better jobs. Yes. Yes. All anybody can do is to try to be a good father, and that’s what you — I — will do.

YS: Wait. You mentioned “Jobs.” Why so many?

ME: You’ll hit a few snags along the way. After college, you’ll work for a couple years at a place called HomeTown Online — -it doesn’t exist yet where you are, but it will get going just as the Internet begins to take off. You’ll work as a web designer, until the company is closed down and you’re laid off. Then, while you’re planning your wedding you’re going to work for the Cromaine Library. You’ll eat lunch in the same room where you attended Story Hour, which I always thought was neat. Then you’ll work for an organization in East Lansing called the Michigan State Medical Society.

YS: Wait. A medical society? I thought I was going to be a newspaper reporter, not a doctor.

ME: You’re not a doctor. I worked at MSMS as a webmaster.

YS: Working on the Internet. In the future, do I get sucked into the computer like the character from the movie “Tron?”

ME: No. It just means that you build websites. Well, at first that’s what you’ll do. Later on, you’ll be in charge of testing just one website.

YS: Built by robots?

ME: No, by programmers. So, where was I? You’ll be laid off from MSMS, and then work for Special Olympics Michigan in Mt. Pleasant.

YS: Wait. I’m going to work in the same place I attend college?

FS: I know, kind of cool, right? Anyways, you’ll lose your job at Special Olympics, and next work at Dow Chemical for a few years.

YS: Gosh, that would suck. Sounds like I’m the World’s Worst Employee.

FS: Don’t worry, you’re not. Well, anyways it’s more complicated than that. And, you will learn a thing or two along the way so it gets better. After Dow Chemical, you’ll work for another nonprofit called EduGuide.

YS: Why, what happens at Dow Chemical?

ME: You’ll be laid off.

YS: Oh, man. Where do I live in the future? Do I own a house?

ME: You do, and you’ll live in Shepherd, Michigan.

YS: Shepherd? I’ve never heard of it.

ME: They host a maple syrup festival every April. It’s like Howell’s melon festival.

YS: Alrighty, then. So, let me get this straight. I’m going to get a degree in Journalism, but then get a job right away building websites, get laid off, get another job building websites, get laid off from there, work for Dow Chemical building websites —

ME: Oh, no, not websites. You’re going to be working for their videoconference helpdesk.

YS: Videoconference? Oh, connecting calls on their video phones?

ME: Not exactly. Listen, it probably sounds like life will get pretty rough. And there will be quite a few bumps along the way.

FS: Well, yeah. It almost doesn’t seem worth it.

ME: But there’s somebody important who you’ll meet who will make it worthwhile. Then, you’ll meet three more people along the way who are important to you, too.

YS: I don’t understand.

ME: In college, you’re going to meet a girl named Theresa and fall in love with her. The two of you will cross paths in the Woldt-Emmons computer lab. At first, you’ll just be really good friends but then later on it will get really serious. And, you’ll decide to marry her.

YS: Married? I can’t imagine what it would be like to know I want to marry somebody.

ME: It’s like spending the first twenty years of your life needing glasses, and then suddenly you put on a pair and everything is suddenly ten times more clear. Everything was so much better with Theresa, I couldn’t imagine a life without her. And, it really has been better. I wouldn’t be where I am today without her.

YS: Wow. That’s heavy!

ME: Yeah. I don’t know if that’s how it is for other people, but it’s where everything began for me. So, it’s true that you will struggle, but you and Theresa will work out problems together. And, it will always be worth it because you’re together. And then, later, you’ll become a father.

YS: To who? A daughter? A son?

ME: First a daughter, then two sons. Becoming a father will give you a purpose you can’t comprehend yet.

YS: Three kids? Are they all babies?

ME: Elijah is three years old, so he’s the youngest and closest to being a baby. Kayla is going to be a Junior in high school. Josh will be an eighth grader.

YS: Wow, it sounds like everything turns out great in the future.

ME: Yeah..well…it is a lot of work, but we are fortunate in many ways.

YS: I heard a voice say that the call will end soon. I only have a few more minutes. Do you have any advice for me?

ME: Tons! I don’t even know where to start. You’re on the right track with college, and although you don’t become a news reporter after college you should stick with Journalism as a major. Don’t be afraid to try new things, though. Keep your mind open. And, stay focussed on doing well in your classes. Remember that’s why you’re there.

YS: Gotcha!

ME: Did you get everything? It’s a lot to digest.

YS: Sure. Is there anything you want me to do?

ME: Always remember to stay in touch with friends or family. It’s the people in your — er, I mean in our life that will end up mattering the most. For example, you should spend as much time with your grandfathers while you have the opportunity. They won’t always be around. Tell your wife and kids that you love them. And, when you propose to Theresa, try to make it special. With dancing and a lot of people lip syncing. And, try to catch it on video so it can go viral later.

YS: Viral? The future sounds weird. Wow, well, I gotta go. Good talking with you.

ME: It was good talking to you.