Grandpa’s advice to grandkids after blowing out the candles on their 78th birthday cake

I’m 25 today. Really. That 25 Celsius, or 78 Fahrenheit, if you insist. I have a message on this occasion for my dear grandchildren and step-grandchildren. It might surprise you to hear this, but it’s better to be 78 than 25. Of course, everyone who wants to be 78 someday, and who doesn’t, has to go through 25 to get there. It can not be helped.

For those of you not quite 25 yet, or even in your teens, it’s you Charlie, Cadi, Buddy Miles, Madison, Dutch, Raleigh, Isabella and Caroline, take your time. Pace yourself, enjoy every year until 25 and the HUGE number of years after 25, on your life’s path to one day be where I am today – 78 Fahrenheit. Every year is precious, and you have to get through each one to one day get to where I am now.

Along the way, you’ll discover amazing things about stars and galaxies, about time and space, about health and sickness, about winning and not winning, about loving people, about a thousand things big and small and silly. and important. Every day, you’ll discover really interesting facts you didn’t know about animals, science, art, and music. These are just a few examples, there’s so much more, too many things to list, or you’d miss your bedtime.

But just think how much you’ll know when it’s 25 degrees Celsius or 78 Fahrenheit. Well that’s me-78. Can you believe how much I must know about everything, almost?

I’ll tell you what I’m going to do. In the next few days, for just one penny, I, Popadon, 78, will answer his questions. I’ll tell you what you want to know about anything. Remember, I’m 78 Fahrenheit, every day since I was your age until now, I’ve learned things about nature, stars, time, space and other things. So don’t waste your luck, ask me a question. For just a penny.

But, there is a rule. There is a limit of three questions. So think about what you really want to know. Choose the most important questions that come to mind. And here is the point. It doesn’t matter so much if I know the answers. Most likely I won’t, and I’ll admit it. You can Google the answers, or we can do it together. The idea is that you learn simply by asking questions.

Whenever you want to know something, ask a question. Never be afraid to do that. Don’t immediately accept the answers you get, especially if they seem a little weird or just plain crazy. Wait a bit before you believe that what others say are the answers. Maybe yes, maybe no. Wait until you have had time to think about the answers you are given, and if it is important, ask others what they think the answers are. Most of the time it won’t cost you a dime to ask questions or explore good answers. And most of the time there will be no limit to the number of questions you can ask.

And someday, a long, long, long time from now, when you’re 78 Fahrenheit and having a party and your grandkids and step-grandkids asking you questions, you’re really going to get your money’s worth.

I love you all. With a little random good fortune, their lives will be truly wonderful.