Canada Journal – News of the World Articles and videos to bring you the biggest Canadian news stories from across the country every day
In 1961, Bruce Farrer, then a Saskatchewan high school teacher at the beginning of his career, came up with an interesting idea for an assignment: He asked each of his students to write a 10-page letter to their future selves, to be opened only when they were adults.
“I was trying to think of some assignment that would be special,” the now 73-year-old, who retired in 2002, tells CBC Morning Edition. “It just sort of came up.”
One of this year’s recipients was Scott Fulton, who’s now a teacher himself. He said of the experience; ‘I was just feeling honoured and grateful. I’m amazed and inspired at the work of Mr Farrer.’
However Mr Farrer says not all his ex-students are so happy to receive their letters: ‘I think some of them are embarrassed by how immature they were, but when you’re 14, you’re immature.’
Unsurprisingly the letters have unearthed some amazing stories.
Mr Farrer described how on particular student had predicted his future with amazing accuracy: ‘One Grade 9 was obsessed with ABBA and dreamed of marrying a “beautiful blond Swede.” Twenty years later, the young man had moved to Sweden and done just that.’
After receiving his letter 36-year-old father-of-two DJ Anardi realised he had a promise of his own to fulfil.
He’d written that if he ever received his letter 20 years on he’d call Mr Farrer to thank him.
Asked if he’d done this yet he replied: ‘I’d forgotten to do that a month ago. I’m going to call him tonight.’
We hope he did.
Agencies/Canadajournal
