Ah, the classic “where do you see yourself in five years” question – once an irritating job interview staple, now a relic of pre-pandemic innocence. This I noted three years ago. The last few years have been a rollercoaster of unpredictability, turning our once-confident over-rehearsed predictions into humble whispers of uncertainty.

As I reflect on the whims of fate and the cosmic game of chance, predicting three years from now feels like attempting to forecast the weather on a distant exoplanet. Jobs transformed into remote or hybrid entities, people jumped headfirst into entirely new career fields or just took on gigs, and life became an intricate dance with the unknown.

In the wake of a year filled with the heart-wrenching sight of too many young souls departing early, the crystal ball for us all seems foggy at best. It’s a reality check – a reminder that life, much like a fussy, capricious cat, refuses to be herded into predictable timelines.

Sure, in an ideal universe, three years from now would find me in a cocoon of happiness, surrounded by the warmth of a supportive work environment. I’d be levitating on the ethereal clouds of not feeling perpetually drained, perhaps 12 pounds lighter and a few labs better on the health scale. My passport, a well-traveled memoir, would boast at least six more countries crossed off my bucket list.

And then there’s the heartfelt wish to witness my son embarking on the journey to college – a place that fosters not just academic growth but the kind that makes you stand tall and proud. I envision him showcasing the fortitude and resiliency he’s cultivated, like a young oak weathering the storms. My baby has been strong through these tempests.

But, my friend, the universe has a sense of humor, doesn’t it? It likes to throw curveballs when we least expect it, teaching us to pirouette gracefully through the uncertainties.

So, in three years, will I have checked off those travel destinations? Will I be savoring a sense of professional fulfillment and personal contentment? Will my son be spreading his wings with the confidence of a fledgling ready to soar?

The answer lies in the cosmic dance, the rhythmic ebb, and the flow of life’s unpredictable melody. I’ll strive for those aspirations, fueled by the hope that the universe has a few surprises up its celestial sleeve. As my spuse who has passed on would have noted, in the grand scheme of the cosmos, we’re mere stardust, navigating the galaxy of possibilities.

In three years, I hope to look back at this moment with a knowing smile, appreciating the unexpected turns that led me to where I stand. Until then, let’s embrace the mystery, dance with destiny, and let the universe unfold its story in its own whimsical way.