Third Millennium Humans

A short essay regarding my true family

I have a very large family, in every sense of the word.  My mother is 13,000 kilometres wide and I have nearly seven billion siblings.

The most depressing memory from my childhood was the moment I realised, after quite literally doing the maths, that I would never be permitted the chance to meet the vast majority of my family.  The average human life contains 2,522,880,000 seconds, not even half the number of the world population and not nearly enough time for me to encounter them all.  I eventually came to the conclusion that all I can do is to simply do my best to meet as many as I possibly can within the time I am given.

My elder siblings have a club, which they call "society".  This is an organisation with very strict moral laws and it is my highest dream to one day join.  They have already taught me it is not as easy as it may first appear.

"Nothing is a right; everything is a privilege."  This is what they tell me.  Even a basic position within human society is not a given, it has to be earned through hard work, as it should be so all I need is to try my best to become a member.

I am part of an ancient species that calls itself the "Humans".  I am proud to be a part of it and I must strive to make it proud of me.  It is my goal to help my siblings in any way I am able, so that we may all move forwards together out of our dark past.

Some of my brothers and sisters tell me that, in these modern times, we aren't as caring towards our elderly mother as we should be.  But she is not as frail as you might think.  As she rapidly approaches her five billionth birthday, she seems stronger than ever.

I hear my family often call out that we are hurting her, that maybe it would've been better if we were never born at all.  I don't believe this.  For I say, "But without us, her existence is meaningless."  Then she would just be the same as the rest of her childless siblings.

Sound does not exist without ears; light does not exist without eyes.  With no one to experience all her wonder and beauty, there would be no purpose to them.

I am thankful my mother is patient, this is a wonderful quality.  As many of our number have given up searching but some still remain who, even though their mother is so close by, refuse to give up the search for our Father.

At this point in time I am among the youngest of the family, but that will change someday.  And eventually, I shall arrive at the point when I can no longer see how the younger ones fare.

This millennium is still young, so much will happen that I will never know, so many sights I shall never see.  It makes me wonder whether my younger brothers and sisters will be OK.

Honestly....I think you will be.