I used to work with a brother about 25 years ago. Every year he would say, " I cant see us making it past another year", and " If this system is still around". He would say it almost weekly, mind you i worked with him for many years, and saw him almost every day.
Well, we parted ways about 20 years ago, but still have very minor business dealings here and there. I sat down with him about 2 years ago to go over a little business arrangement, and he still, after 20 something years, had the balls to say, " If we are still in this system by this time next year".
I looked at him and said, " Really? you are STILL saying that". I then chuckled a bit, to make light of it, but i think i still got my point across.