Kris L. Duke, from Bolton Valley, Vermont, has been collecting fortune cookie messages for the past 20 years, stockpiling roughly 4,350 fortunes since August 1, 2019. Duke, like many of us, feels compelled to know his future. We have all experienced uncertainty in our lives or have been scared of the lack of control we have over our autonomy. We have all opened a fortune cookie after dinner, somewhat hoping it would pertain to our individual lives, giving us a peek into our future. The concept of fortune cookies, although a customary treat after Chinese dinner, is reassuring. We spend our lives worried about the unknown, and for a moment in time, we are granted peace of mind through a cookie containing information about the unknown. Whether it is exact or not, fortune gives us peace of mind. 

Duke’s collection is significant to him, and maybe some messages were unoriginal, but if a few made him sure of himself or granted him security, the fortunes did their jobs. I, like many of my peers and seniors, am scared of the uncontrollable, especially as a young adult, there are a lot of expectations to succeed and be self-sufficient. If I got a hint of what my life would look like in the next five to ten years, I could ease my mind for just a minute or two. Maybe, that is what we would all be doing, ordering hundreds of take-outs just so we could know our fortune. We all would become obsessed, and maybe life wouldn’t be as exciting or beautiful. Yes, It is reassuring to know that you will get that promotion at work tomorrow, but if we all relied on fortunes to make us feel in control, we would not be experiencing life. I would rather enjoy my life, not knowing the unexpected, than anticipating my next step. 

If I had the time and money, I would further my collection of backpacks. I would not limit myself, collecting backpacks from around the world, admiring them all in my house. I think there is something incredible about the distinctive ways people could make backpacks from creative designs and unique materials. I would have a souvenir from all different walks of life that I could keep and hopefully make into an exhibit for the public to view and enjoy.