Photo: SC Martinez

Published in The Journal of Compressed Creative Arts, August 10, 2026

Let’s make a vow that fifteen years from now, we will not be those people who only talk about aches and pains, doctors’ visits, or upcoming operations, or about people we knew who have passed on, bless their hearts. Let’s not criticize other people’s questionable clothing choices, their saggy neck wrinkles, or the crepey skin on their arms. We won’t suck our teeth mentioning the ones who’ve had ‘work done’ or dental implants. We won’t discuss anyone’s children’s divorces and job losses, or our grandchildren’s many accomplishments. 

 Instead, let’s get together and talk about the books we’re reading, the trips we’re planning, and the Broadway shows we have tickets for. Let’s go to the gym and swim, do yoga, and lift weights. Let’s finish writing our novels, start another one, and create new paintings in a series. Let’s go out for dinner at nice restaurants weekly, see the latest art shows, and attend book launches. Let’s live each day as if it were endless, and we have plenty of time. 

But if we should die, let’s be ghosts. Let’s haunt the playground after the kids have gone and swing as high as the stars. Let’s make transparent rabbit ears behind everyone’s head on school picture day. And dance in the moonlight on roofs and parapets like fireflies. Best of all, we’ll go down into basements and up into attics, where they always say never to go.

We’ll Have Plans