Fifty-Six years ago, today...

"That being said, my first four years in the Navy, which was all active-duty time, forged me, and molded me. In 1969, I left for the Navy as a young boy, and four years later, I completed my first enlistment as a young man. The die was then cast."

Fifty-six years ago, today. I have said many times over the years, that day, plus the day I married my wife, were the two most consequential days of my life. Not the only two days which were important - but they were the most important (other than my faith). You see, fifty-six years ago today, I raised my right hand and swore to protect and defend this great land of ours. It was the day I joined the Navy.

I did not sleep well the night before I went in. Nervous, a bit scared, apprehensive - you name it. I was walking off a cliff (so to speak), as I had no idea what I was getting into. But it was a choice I needed to make. Why? I was nineteen years old and going nowhere fast. I was not really ready for college as yet, and I felt an urge to grow up. Do something which meant something. Do something which would make my parents proud.

My standing joke after I had been in the Navy for a while was this - when asked "why the Navy?", my response was always the same. "Well, I was in a play called Mr. Roberts when I was in high school. It sure was a lot of fun being a sailor in that play." Of course, when I joined the REAL NAVY, it was NOTHING like the make believe set I was on at Robbinsdale High School. 

That being said, my first four years in the Navy, which was all active-duty time, forged me, and molded me. In 1969, I left for the Navy as a young boy, and four years later, I completed my first enlistment as a young man. The die was then cast.

I often wonder how my life would have turned out if I had not made the decision to join the Navy on that beautiful April morning in 1969. Everything would have turned out different for me. I probably would not have met my wife, which means I would not have had the same daughters I did. I would not have had the second career (and retirement) which I did. So many things that I saw and experienced on this road called life would have not been the same. 

Friends I have made, places I have gone, things I have done - most would have been different. I believe all of us have that retrospective as we look at our lives lived. A "this instead of a that". A right turn instead of a left turn. Some might even say a "ying instead of a yang". All these different choices, some very small, and some very big, we all make in this journey called life. 

A man I worked for when I first got out of college, had a saying - When talking about an experience, either good or bad, he would say, "That is the thing called life". To that I respond simply this - you are right sir, this IS the thing called life. And is it not grand? What a blessing our lives are.

Our paths beginning, in this thing called life, were not known to us - but were known to God. As the saying goes - known only to God. The journey alone, as well as our destinations, are gifts from God. Very special and unique gifts, from God.