Days of future passed...

 

 

You’re here today, no future fears - This day will last, a thousand years

Moody Blues

Dawn is a Feeling

Today is our 40th wedding anniversary. That is four decades of time. It is a time of celebration, reflection, and memories. It is also a time to realize how much things have changed, the events that have happened in those 40 years.

40 years ago when we stepped up to the alter, the country was still at war - Viet Nam. Even though the war was winding down and our exit seemed certain, technically we were still involved. Today, we are still at war. In a different part of the world, with a different enemy, both seen and unseen. But we are still at war.

40 years ago the country was in the grips of a failed Presidency. It was the month before the historic first article of impeachment was filed. It was not long thereafter that Richard Nixon resigned his Presidency and Gerald Ford was sworn in. Today, we are in the grips of another failed Presidency. Articles of impeachment have not yet been filed, however the number of White House scandals being investigated are unprecedented in modern history.

40 years ago the economy was about ready to go into the tank. Inflation was going from almost 9% to 12% on our wedding day. Dark economic clouds were starting to gather. Shortly after we got married, the one time worst President in our history was sworn in - Jimmy Carter. The economy almost died. Today, we are living in a different kind of economic malaise. Our soon to be worst President in modern times is leading us down the path of economic ruin. With the Fed ruling the day with cheap, almost worthless money, the days of inflation, maybe hyper inflation, cannot be far away.

When I look at the landscape, I see this - much has changed in four decades and yet much has not. We have not learned. We still come under the spell of charlatans and snake oil salesmen. We find catchy slogans alluring. We don't know how to balance our national checkbook. And, we don't know how to fight a war to win. Fighting to a draw is like losing.

But to my wife, I wish a very happy anniversary. As sad as some things are in the country, my love for her, my time with her, is priceless. A song which was played at our wedding was "God's time is best" - and it was indeed.