How Fortunate I Am

I am so thankful for this life and its many opportunities to grow.

For example, I  have the opportunities to evaluate my flaws and dreams, while so many other people struggle to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads. In inner city ghettos, people are often confronted by crime, while in many parts of the world, people live in thatched or mud huts with no electricity, running water, indoor plumbing or an educational system. For lack of money or awareness, they die horrible deaths from diseases eradicated elsewhere.

While other families in the industrialize world, including here in the U.S. cope with their children battling cancer or some other horrific disease. Each day presents new and often difficult challenges for them.

Still other nations are wracked with war, whether civil wars or U.S. - NATO instigated, as bombs fall and guns fire, leaving vast numbers of dead and wounded in their wake, in man's desire for power, ego gratification or monetary gains forcibly made. I pray for peace and have taken to the streets for peace vigils, caring deeply for all of wars' victims.

Each day, I am thankful for Anne and our children and grandchildren and the many other people who are close to us. And I appreciate my many opportunities to not only grow personally but to help others in their quest to live better lives. I feel love and compassion for them as well and how fortunate we all are to make this journey of life together.

Dick