Would you open your box?

We all know that each of us comes with an expiration date. If we are lucky, and we remain in decent health, that date is well into the future. Others aren’t so fortunate. Since none of us are privy to the exact day we will take our last breath, hopefully we all live our best life until then.

In her debut novel, The Measure, Nikki Erlick asks: what if we could know how long we had to live? What would happen if a small box containing that information was mysteriously delivered to every person on Earth? Those whose boxes contained a short string learned that they had just a few days, months, or years left. Others found longer strings and, therefore, had lengthier timelines. The novel’s premise is fascinating, and Erlick does a great job exploring how this knowledge could impact individuals, relationships, and whole societies, including how different governments might react.

When my book club met last week to discuss The Measure, our hostess greeted us with an arrangement of small, unmarked boxes. We were told to pick one but not to open it until instructed. After a lively and stimulating discussion about the book (it received a solid 4 out of 5 stars from most of us), things got even more interesting. We went around the room and answered the question: Would you choose to open your box and why or why not?  

Some of us, including me, opted to leave our boxes closed. A few said they might have opened it when they were young but not now (most of us are 60+). I chose to leave my box closed because I felt that knowing exactly when I will die could negatively impact my mental well-being. If I found out that I only had until next October, for instance, I’m afraid that I’d spend my last few months worrying rather than enjoying the time I had left.  

Others said that they’d absolutely open their box. A few cited current health issues or having children and/or grandchildren as reasons for their decision. Some knew that their curiosity would get the better of them, although they’d probably have to have several stiff drinks before opening their box. Interestingly, even though we all knew these particular strings had no magical powers, as the boxes were opened, there was relief if the string was long, disappointment if it was short.

Image curtesy of Pixaby

So, I’m curious. What would you do? Would you choose to know when – although not how – you will die?

If you’d open the box, would having a short or a long string change anything about how you’d choose to spend the rest of your life? Would you take more risks if you had a long string? Would you be more cautious if it was short?

If you would choose to keep your box closed, why? Would you have made a different decision at another time in your life?

Full disclosure: At the end of the evening, before I drove home, I opened my box out of curiosity. My string was long… whew.

Linking up to What’s On Your Bookshelf? hosted every month by Donna, Debbie, Jo, and Sue.

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Author: Janis @ RetirementallyChallenged.com

My blog is about travel, relationships, photography, and whatever else pops into my head (even, sometimes, issues surrounding retirement and aging).

136 thoughts on “Would you open your box?”

  1. Yikes, what a fascinating book and a very risky activity. If there were short strings in those boxes, I would never, ever open mine. I would be way too superstitious to do that even just for fun. How did the people who opened boxes with short strings respond? It does sound like a very thought-provoking book.

    1. Even though we KNEW that the length of the string in our box was arbitrary (the host put short strings in half, and long strings in half) and completely without substance, I could tell that those who had a short string felt a tad uncomfortable. I can’t imagine wanting to know but those who did chose to open their box had good (to them) reasons. I noticed that Sue had The Measure on her list so I’m interested to read what she thought.

    2. That was weird.
      Maybe my reply was too long? I’ll try again.

      Our book club also read the book. Given that my husband had recently died, I knew exactly how I felt about knowing how long one’s life would be.
      He was told that the average lifespan for someone with his his type of cancer was 18 months. It was actually only four. Had we known it was going to be so brief we would have been better prepared. We were grateful that his oncologist was straight with us.
      Because he knew his lifespan was limited, we were able to fit in one last trip to California to visit our son. We didn’t get to Massachusetts to visit my family—the other big thing he wanted to do.
      Fortunately, he was able to make sure his niece got his telescope with instructions on how to use it, and that his sister got important possessions of his, that he wanted her to have. Unfortunately, we were only halfway through with his plans when he died.
      Would we have lived our life differently? Probably not. We were able to do most of what we wanted:travel extensively, spend time with family and friends, and enjoy being together. But every time I come across some thing that he handled, like programming the lights to go on at certain times, or doing our taxes I just wish there had been time for him to teach me how to do those things.

      1. Thank you so much for sharing your experience and perspective, Shelley. The decision would be such a personal one, based on our circumstances and personalities. I’m so sorry for your terrible loss and for the time your husband didn’t have to do all he wanted. I can understand why you’d choose to have a clear idea of the time you have left. Take good care, my friend.

  3. I might have to read the book, but I struggle with the premise. I don’t believe in destiny or fore-ordained life spans. I try to live with the understanding that any day could be the one that the proverbial bus runs me down, no matter how healthy I may be. I’d never open a box like that.

    1. You do have to take a few big leaps of faith as you are reading the book. Despite that, I thought the author did a good job considering all the various reactions and what-ifs. The book was also very allegorical to current events. I think it’s worth reading.

  4. Kudos to your hostess for her creative thinking and planning. But no, absolutely not. I would not open that box. Short string or long, I’d worry. (Is this a prelude? Is this the beginning of the end? What do I do now? Etc.) I decided years ago that if a doctor ever offered me such knowledge, I reject the offer.

  5. Nope – wouldn’t open it at all. No matter the string length, I’d feel **even more** pressure to make sure I’d make efficient use of my time on earth! HA!
    However, if confronted with a life threatening illness/disease/situation, I’d definitely consider asking the doctor ‘how long do I have – ballpark figure, please’. Perhaps as a means to help myself and loved ones navigate that circumstance. But I think you understand the differences in the two scenarios.

  6. Hi Janis, as Donna mentioned I read this book and rated it as 5 stars – I read it as purely fiction and enjoyed the premise immensely. What a great idea of your bookclub host to have this activity at the meeting. It is very hard to decide what I’d do in such a situation but like you, I probably wouldn’t open it at this stage of my life. I really enjoyed your review and post, thanks for joining us for WOYBS with this book.

    2. I haven’t read the book … yet, but after two intriguing reviews, I am going to!

      It’s such a fascinating question, though I believe that the Uncertainty principle could work here: opening the box could change one’s life, and therefore what’s in the box, no? 🤓

        1. Of course you’re right that we must accept the premise of the book to go along with it. Think about the Harry Potter series, they seem to have a magic potion that forces the drinker to tell the truth and much of the plot in the different installment seems to have to do with suspecting some folks of working for Voldemort. Wouldn’t it be easier to just have everyone take the truth serum and find out who’s on which side and the plot would be done in no time flat? 😀

          I guess I was waxing philosophical, and have been more accurate and referred to the Observer Principle: that the act of observing has a an impact on what is being observed. It’s sort of like not being able to cross the same river twice because both the river changes and you change. Say I opened the box and found out I was going to live another 50 years, and I started to take enormous risks that I would have not taken if I hadn’t known that. One of those enormous risks would be bound to shorten my life, no? But that’s an outside-the-scope-of-the-book question 🙂

          1. You really need to read the book because she addresses that. You could certainly have a string that indicates you will live another 50 years, take huge risks because of that, and end up spending what remains of those 50 years as a paraplegic or in a non-reversable coma.

  7. I’d definitely rip that sucker open. Knowledge is power and I’d use that power to do whatever I deemed important in the time I had left, including getting all of my affairs in order!

    Deb

  8. Im not sure what I’d do, but I probably open the box. I think I’d encourage myself to live more fully by doing so. And now I have another book on my list. Thanks!

    1. I’d love to know what you think once you’ve read it. Even though the premise is science fiction(ish), the author does a great job relating people’s reaction to the length of the strings – theirs and others – to how we treat others today.

  9. I loved this book, and as I was reading, constantly asked myself this question. Like you, I think younger me couldn’t have resisted, but now I have entered my final years there is no way I want to know what’s in that box.

  10. Whew is right, Janis. That is a hard, hard question. On the one hand, I over prepare, and I like to be prepared for each next step. When I was in elementary school, they would always emphasize, you will need to know this in junior high school – and so forth. I took that advice to heart. I would spend all my time preparing, then twiddling my thumbs waiting, waiting, waiting. I would try to fill my time with something meaningful, but not too hard to complete – write a short story rather than a novel. Even now, I hesitate to start long involved projects because I don’t want to leave a mess and I hate cleaning up when I’m not done. I write all that, and I think I’m someone who would want to know.

    1. I think anyone who over prepares by nature wouldn’t need to open the box because they already have their affairs in order. I can understand the curiosity, though (which, of course, is why I opened my box at the end of the evening). I would probably have to bury the unopened box in a ton of concrete so I wouldn’t be tempted 🙂

  11. Honestly this is fascinating to me yet I have no idea what I would do if magically a string was the predictive item foretelling my end. I have flip flopped a dozen times after reading both the post and the comments. I see merit and logic in each response and it is such an individual decision. My gut sort of seems to be headed in the direction to open the box. I am not afraid of death and I like having knowledge of what’s ahead, although that can verge into control issues at times, but I think I would want to know.

    1. I might have had a different response if I had kids and grandkids but my desire not to spend my time worrying if the string was short won out. It’s hard to say how we would choose in actuality, isn’t it? I’m just happy it was fiction and that I won’t find a small box on my doorstep one day.

  12. What an out of the “box” book club meeting that was! Interesting premise. I just recently read “Being Mortal” and it really addresses end of life issues on many levels. I would open it – that way the surprise is gone and I can just focus on the positives and living in the moment. I have seen, in my professional job, many people take their last breaths as we fought to keep them alive so I know how precious time is and try to live my best life all the time. Bernie

  13. Given the choice I’d definitely say no to opening it – I’ve been typing various reasons why but have deleted them. The main one being, long or short, it would spoil the rest of the time left for me. It would just loom over me, sickening me – making me very sad if it was short (I’ll never see this again- do this again- etc) so I’m better off not knowing. Hopefully I’ll go quickly so won’t have to worry.

    Have just put that book on my list for next year. Thanks for recommending it.
    Cathy woybs

    1. Your reaction is much like mine. Especially if the string was short, I can’t see that having that knowledge would improve my life… except maybe I’d finally make a list of all my passwords so my husband can manage my affairs when I’m gone 🙂 I hope you enjoy the book!

  14. As a kid, I hated going to school. By the time mid-August rolled around, my stomach was in knots. As the calendar days ticked closer to September, a feeling of dread would overtake me. Even as a kid, I realized it was a terrible way to live. I envision the box, if it were opened, creating a similar situation, and the length of the string wouldn’t matter. Not only would I not open it, I’d toss it in the wood stove so nobody else could either.

    1. Yes, the feeling of dread is something I can do without. I’m not a worrier by nature but having that information may turn me into one. BTW, I think the string turned out to be indestructible so throwing it into the fire wouldn’t get rid of it… sorry. 🙂

  15. Thought provoking post and comments. I’d burn the box within minutes of receiving it. I have personal experience having beloved family members living with medical issues that could result in death at any moment. The mental toll is heavy so I’d prefer to live the best I can each day and pray for strength to handle whatever actually happens. I don’t look back, try to not look too forward, and celebrate each day my feet hit the floor in the morning. 🙂

  16. Sounds like a great book. Personally I would not open the box. I decided to live and enjoy every day as if I had another 30 years to live. At 66 that is still possible and as I age, I feel that ignorance is bliss. I don’t need the stress of knowing. I try to live a healthy life and that’s the best I can do. If someday I am told I have a couple of weeks or months, I will make sure I say my goodbyes and give my love to those I care about.

  17. How very interesting. I’m not familiar with the book, but I might look into it. I think I would not open the box, but I would re-evaluate things and start living as if my string was short– do things now, seize the day, don’t let opportunities pass me by, etc. Hey, I kinda started doing that this year, after retiring!

  19. Definitely not! I already find the concept that I have far more behind me than to come a bit depressing, especially with the speed at which time seems to pass these days. If I knew for sure I only had a short time left i think I’d react the way Mary above describes feeling about school.

  20. Wow, what an interesting premise – that’s a book I’ll be adding to my TBR. When I was diagnosed with cancer 10+ years ago, I did lots of thinking about the what ifs. If I was to be in that position again, I would ask a medical professional for their best opinion, but I wouldn’t want to know otherwise. Anything can happen, entirely out of the blue, and I wouldn’t want to be living my day-to-day life as if an actual sword of Damacles was hanging over me.

  21. I love the concept of the novel and will add it to my TBR list. Having said that, there is no way in hell I’d open the box. The risk (a short string) just isn’t worth the reward (a long string), and I’d rather be oblivious than spend countless days, weeks, months, or years worrying as the date drew closer.

  22. I had a friend with metastatic cancer. She was undergoing treatments but knew that she would die of her disease. She just didn’t know when although she knew it would be sooner rather than later. She was very philosophical about it (at least to me — our conversation was obviously after she knew for a while). I admired her and hoped that if I were in the same situation, I would be philosophical. She continued to enjoy her life as it was. No trips to faraway places or racing to beat the clock on her “life to do” list. Perhaps she hugged her grandkids harder and loved more but nothing you could see on the outside. Would I open my box. I don’t really know. BTW she lived 14 years with her illness before all the treatments stopped working.

    1. I think it would be different if I had a terminal illness and wanted to spend my last days, months, years as best as I could. If you felt perfectly fine but found a short string, I’d always be looking over my shoulder for that bus that was headed straight for me. I’m glad your friend had 14 quality years surrounded by the people she loved.

  23. I think I’d actually be more daring if my string was short figuring why not live life to the absolute fullest if I wasn’t going to have much time to experience even more. I certainly wouldn’t be worried nearly so much about saving money and having enough to last me a lifetime so I think I’d travel even more and try to see ALL the things. But I don’t think I’d want to know… it would be rather tempting though so I’d have to destroy the box and string with it so I didn’t open it in a weak moment.

    1. One of my book club members said something similar about financial planning for a short vs. long life. We spend so many of our early years saving up for our retirement… what if you knew that that sort of restraint wasn’t necessary? Spend wildly, travel, have a second helping of dessert!

  24. I wouldn’t want to know exactly when I was going to die either. I can understand how it would be helpful in planning, but I don’t think I could live with that knowledge meaningfully, you know?

  26. What an intriguing book, Janis! Wow, what to do. I suppose if someone like your book club leader handed me a box like you got, I would open it knowing it was an exercise. But IRL, nope. When I step into eternity, I want it to be a surprise, despite my need to plan ahead 😉

  27. What a neat way to engage a book club. The book itself sounds very interesting, and I give kudos to your host for presenting you all with your own boxes. I suspect I would open my box. It’s hard for me to say definitively because I tend to do the opposite of what I would say I would do. But I’m pretty sure I’d open my box. I’d want to know so at least I could try and see my far-flung friends one more time before I die, get my affairs in order. I know I should be doing that now since I’m in my mid-60s, but a short thread would definitely put a fire under my butt 😉

    1. It does help to have a hard deadline, doesn’t it? Since I’ve retired, it’s so easy to push things off, even though I know they need to be done. I hope you see your far-flung friends, long string or not. If you don’t have a short string, one of them might.

  28. This is great. I’ve added The Measure to my booklist. I’ve often pondered if I’d want to know when my due date was. I think genetic testing is a glimpse into the possibility of longevity or its opposite. I’m not particularly interested in knowing what may end up taking me down. However, I’m sure if I were contemplating having children, this option might have great relevance.

    But now? Heck I feel dangerously lucky to still be alive and kicking. I don’t think I’d want to jinx myself by checking out that string.

    What a great post!

  29. Hi Janis, I kept asking myself this question when I read the book earlier this year. I ranked it in my top books for 2023. It was a very interesting concept . I decided I wouldn’t open the box but would rather enjoy each day as it comes. I’m so pleased you could join us for #WOYBS and hope you will join us next year to share our love of reading. x

    1. I thought the author did a great job considering various reactions and what ifs. Choosing our own boxes at our club meeting and deciding whether or not to open them, made our decisions seem more real. I hope to join WOYBS several times next year too. I have received some fantastic recommendations by reading the posts of others.

  30. Your post was interesting and the book sounds intriguing Janis. I admit I’d be in the camp that does not want to know because I don’t think I’d want to try new ventures with a limited time left in my life, but would be tempted to be extra cautious instead I would leave the box closed. I am 67 years old – the younger me might have laughed off a short string but the 67-year-old me would not.

    Years ago, my grandmother invited a friend from work to their home for Christmas dinner. The co-worker (Olive) was from England and had no family. My mom was still living at home at the time. After dinner, Olive asked if everyone would like their tea leaves read as she was a reader. My grandmother put the teatkettle on, they had their tea, Olive read the leaves. When she got to my mom’s, her face had a horrified look and she grabbed her purse and said “I must go – I can’t divulge what is in Pauline’s tea leaves.” Imagine how my mom and grandmother felt at that revelation. Once back at work, myy grandmother tried to wheedle it out of Olive as to what exactly she saw, but she wouldn’t say. Olive visited my grandmother’s house for subsequent dinners, but never read tea leaves after that night.

    1. Holy cow! Even though I don’t believe in any type of readings about the future, I think I would have been freaked out – just like how I felt a bit of relief when I discovered that my box contained a long string 🙂

      In the book, some people with long strings decided to take big risks knowing they’d survive. What they didn’t factor in was the possibility of surviving but with grave injuries. Best to keep the box closed.

  32. What a clever premise. And props to your book club host for the boxes. I’m not remotely afraid of death, so I would open the box. If my string were short, that would just incentivize me to not put off all the things I want to do before I die. I wouldn’t be worried; I’d be motivated.

      1. Yes, assume a short string. But then one could wonder: if we live at a more frenzied rather than slow and relaxed pace, would that really be better? So many points to ponder here!

  33. Ooh, intriguing. Just put the book on hold at the library. The thing that would drive me crazy is not knowing EXACTLY how long I had. If I had a short string, does that mean months or merely days left? Also, if it was long it would be easier to assume I’d die of old age or an old age illness, but if it was short I would totally obsess over how I was going to meet my end: car crash? homicidal maniac? bizarre can-opener accident? It would immobilize me, so I think I wouldn’t look.

  34. I also read this book with my book club and yes, we asked the same question, would you open your box? It was fascinating to hear people’s “why” as they said yes or no. The planner in me would want to know so that I could be sure everything was in place for my family to deal with. Maybe that answer was impacted by just dealing with my mom’s passing and being the executor. It was a fascinating book to read.

    1. I think that may have been one point the author was making… why do we put things off? Whether we have a lot of time or just a little, we need to live well… and prepare for when we eventually run out of string. It’s a great book club book, right?

  35. What a fascinating book!!! I’m not sure what I’d do. I guess I’d have questions about whether you could change the outcome.

    Maybe I’d ask someone else to open it and tell me only if it’s good news. But then I’d obsess about it if they didn’t.

    In some ways I’d like to know because I’d hate to think I’m spending time in a job I hate when I’ve not got much time left and could be enjoying it instead….

    1. You are right, if they didn’t tell you, you’d know anyway… except the exact length so you wouldn’t be able to pinpoint more specifically how long you had. I have to say that I’m very glad we don’t have this info in real life… it would be too stressful and disruptive. It makes for a good novel plot though!

  36. Interesting concept that caused a lot of responses here, Janis! I’m actually surprised that you eventually opened your box after having such valid reasons not to… Maybe because you knew this was fictitious?

    While I’m adventurous and curious, I don’t think I’d open my box. I’m not sure what it would accomplish or change, since I feel like I’m trying to live life to its fullest already with our decisions and lifestyle.

    For some reason, this topic makes me think about Squid Game (a Korean drama show) and the Netflix reality TV spin-off show, which leaves a lot of the decisions and games of “survival” to chance and many times with a 50% possibility… With fascinating (and entertaining) human interactions as a result.

    1. That’s a good question, Liesbet. I didn’t open my box when we went around the room and discussed what we would do if confronted with an actual box and predictive string. Once that discussion was over and most of the other members had gone home, curiosity did get the better of me. I still would choose not to open the actual box, though. Even though the string had no power, I was happy it was long. 🙂

      Paul watched the original Squid Game, I did not (too violent). I’m not sure he would be interested in a reality show but I’ll let him know it exists. We humans sure are an odd species.

  37. This reminds me of an episode of Doctor Who where everyone had their expiry date on the back of their neck. And given everyone had long hair, the story centred around whether you’d ask someone to take a look for you. Of course, a hairdresser would see it when cutting your hair, but you could turn the date off if you wanted to.

    I’d have opened the box simply because I wanted to know how much longer I had to do everything I wanted to do and to live my life as fully as possible before that date arrived. Of course, I can (and do) live like that without knowing the date, but there are certain things I keep moving back on my to-do list, which I would do if I knew when my ‘best by’ date was.

    1. I think most of us have the tendency to put things off so having a deadline (pun intended) helps get us going. Of course, as the book points out just having a long string doesn’t necessarily mean you would be healthy and able all those years into the future. Best not to put things off… easier said than done, right?

  38. What an interesting book, Janis, and even more interesting experience with the boxes that your hostess prepared. I can imagine the thoughts and discussions it provoked. I would want to know. I know that someday my time will be up and that we only have so much control. If time was short, I’d want to jam a whole lot of beauty into the days I have left, and make sure that my loved ones were sick of hearing how much I adore them. If time was long, I’d do the same, but at a slightly leisurely pace. 🙂 I’m glad your string was a long one – don’t waste it. ❤ ❤ ❤

    2. I think that will be my New Years resolution… make my loved ones sick of hearing how much I adore them. 🙂

      I really found all the comments here fascinating, just like the ones in my book club. I love when a novel goes beyond just being a good read and inspires a lot of thought and introspection. Fortunately, since I have a long string, I have many more wonderful novels in my future!

  39. Interesting book! I’m going to have to read it. I wouldn’t open my box. In fact, I think I’d burn it so I wouldn’t be tempted. We all know we have an end date and as we age, we know it’s getting closer. In reference to aging Carl Jung said (and I paraphrase), “Live as if you have 100 years to live.” I recently wrote that we can’t really live until we accept our own mortality. Since my husband’s death last year, I’ve accepted my own mortality and have become braver in the way I live. I don’t think my expiration date actually matters because all that any of us really have is the present, right here, right now. Let the future unfold itself as it comes.

    1. Other than being prompted to take care of financial and personal matters before I die (which I should do anyway), I can’t see any reason to know the date either. Since it’s true that we only have today, right now, I’d rather spend that time enjoying rather than worrying. Thank you for adding your voice to the comments. I’ve really enjoyed all the different thoughts.

  40. Oh wow … what a premise … I think I would probably …. not open my box. Not because I’d spend the time worrying, but because I want to make the most of every single second regardless. Thanks for linking up… great post.

  41. What a fun idea for a book club discussion! I would not open my box, which I determined while reading the book. Unfortunately, I found the book didn’t quite live up to my expectations for it, as I felt like it promised answers it didn’t provide. It did make for an interesting thought experiment, though.

  42. I think eventually curiosity would win and I’d open the box. If my string were short I hope I would be able to start ticking off some bucket list items and spend time with my family as much as I could.

  43. Janis, this is a fascinating book premise, and the comments are thought-provoking! I’m in the camp of not opening the box, because it would cause me unnecessary angst. I just turned 70 last week, and I’m already very aware of the passage of time. I’ve done a lot in my life and have been fortunate to have realized many of my dreams. I’m also aware that the time for some of my dreams has likely passed. Honestly, I’m not even sure that some of those dreams are things I really wanted to do!

    The reality is that we can’t possibly do everything in one lifetime. I’ve always been a planner and goal-setter, so my task now is to sift through and figure out what is really important for the next decade and beyond. My goal has always been to live with no regrets, but I think I need to make peace with “as few regrets as possible.” 🙂

  44. Happy belated birthday! And, thank you so much for your thoughtful comment. I agree with everything you said, including being aware that some of my dreams have passed me by. I don’t dwell on it (especially because so many of my dreams have been realized), but it does give me pause now and then. I think having “as few regrets as possible” is a wonderful goal!

    I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season!

  45. Nice book
    I wouldn’t open the box and trust me I didn’t make that decision lightly coz I’m a very curious individual
    It’s just I had an uncle he’s late now he died recently he was sick for many years and the whole family knew it was terminal.
    Once the hospital told him he had about 2 years left he put he’s life in order said his good byes and made peace with his soul waiting to die.
    At the end of 2 years he was still sick but very much alive but I watch how my mom trembled everytime he called wondering if it would be the last.
    He finally died some 6 years after the death date given by the hospital but he got to live his life during his last days instead of preparing to face death.
    My point is in as much as my curious nature would want to know when I’d die . Knowing is going to make me not achieve all I’ve marked out for myself. It’s just going to leave me anxious like my mom was about my uncle.
    I rather death came as a surprise than for me to anticipate such a guest. But I advise we all live everyday like it’s our last

    1. Absolutely! I’m so sorry about your uncle but I can see how his – and your family’s – experience made you come to the decision not to open the box. Short string or long, best to live life to the fullest… no matter how much time we have.

      Thank you for joining in the conversation! I’ve enjoyed reading everyone’s thoughts.

  46. That must have been a very stimulating discussion. I would not want to open the box. I’ve already lived a nice long life but I don’t want to think about my expiration date! I don’t think I would handle the knowledge well, to be honest. I love the conversation around it, however, and think I’d likely enjoy the book! 😀

  47. Janis, this is an interesting conversation. Curiosity would get the best of me and I’d have to know. However, receiving a long string wouldn’t necessarily be a calming thing for me. The ‘quality of life; variable comes into play in both situations. I’d trade a few years for the assurance of good health to the end.

    1. A long, lonely or painful life wouldn’t be what most of us envision if we were to find a long string in our box. But, as you pointed out, there are no guarantees. Living fully in good health no matter the length of our string is the way to go. I still wouldn’t open my box, though 🙂

  49. A very interesting question. I would probably look at it everyday and wonder if I should open it but keep putting it off. My problem is that I hate making decisions. 😊

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