If it weren't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all!

I have a confession to make. I am a lottery winner! Problem is it was not a jackpot, it was the draft lottery! It was 1972, I was at ACC (this was before it became sophisticated and changed to ACU), the drawing took place on a Wednesday, I went home for the weekend and had a draft notice to report for physical and induction. I had requested and kept a 1A classification. (O.K., I rolled the dice, if you took a 1A and didn't request another classification and you made it until you were twenty-six, you were through with the draft. If you requested a 1S or 2S you then became subject to the draft until you were thirty-five). It appeared I had lost my calculated gamble. One development I haven't mentioned is that on the Christmas Day prior to the drawing, my right hand became entangled in some farm equipment. At the time of my draft notification I could count about one-hundred-sixty sutures still in my hand. My care was turned over to an ex-military physician that specialized in hand injuries. He asked what was going on and I told him it looked like I had been drafted. Without my knowledge or request, this doctor forwarded my records and his prognosis to the draft board physicians and my reporting date was delayed. Ultimately I was classified 4F because I ended up with silastic implants (fingers) and damaged tendons. They are for looks and/or conversation only, and I guess they changed the direction of what might have been.

I listened to John Kerry's speech last evening. It is amazing how everyone can be whipped into a frenzy at these conventions. I have no doubt that Senator Kerry is sincere. I have a lot of admiration for the man and his accomplishments. I was shutting down my computer just after he completed his speech and I noticed on my browser there was already a lead in line "Kerry leaves big hole about objecting to Vietnam". The introduction video had shown a young John Kerry testifying before a congressional panel, objecting to the Vietnam war. He didn't try to hide it. The internet article went on to say that Kerry had left himself open for attack by President Bush. I personally don't have a problem with Kerry objecting to the war, he had already served and in my books he had defended one of the many rights we enjoy because of all that have fought for this country. Upon his return from Vietnam, he practiced one of those rights by deciding to object to the war. If you pay for a ticket, you should be able to write a review. I am very impressed by Kerry's band of brothers from Vietnam and the tremendous bond they share. These men are intertwined in a way many of us can only imagine.

I began to wonder, what if. What if I hadn't injured my hand. Would I have gone to Vietnam? Would I have returned? If I did would I carry scars? Would I be angry and cynical like many of my friends who served. What in my life would be changed because of one day. I wouldn't take for my life. One thing I get more and more comfortable with is that my life is the one GOD mapped for me.

We American's have such a privileged existence. We have been fortunate to not have wars fought on our turf. 911 was a stark wake up for all of us. At times I think we are so insulated from the rest of the world we cannot understand or comprehend the way things are there. I sometimes fear that we come off as a bully trying to force our will on the many that are less fortunate than us. Many people cannot fathom the freedoms we take for granted. GOD bless America, and may GOD bless our efforts to reach out to the oppressed.

FATHER, thank YOU for this country and the privileges we enjoy. FATHER please guide our leaders as they navigate the many problems in this world. Bless us as we choose our country's leaders this election year. We pray for peace, we pray for an end to suffering, we pray that all will come to know YOU and YOUR will. I thank YOU for being in control of my life. I continue to ask for YOUR healing for Aimee, Rene, Carol, and Michelle. GOD bless us everyone!