Perspective

You may have read my recent posts, wherein I whine about losing a friend over a conversation that never should have taken place. I, of course, have completely lost sight of what should be important. However, in keeping with our present cultural awareness, it has taken a forwarded e-mail to get me back on the right track.

I submit:

A mother asked President Bush,  "Why did my son have to die in Iraq?"
Another mother asked President Kennedy, "Why did my son have to die in Viet Nam?"
Another mother asked President Truman, "Why did my son have to die in Korea?
Another mother asked President F.D. Roosevelt, "Why did my son have to die at Iwo Jima?"
Another mother asked President W.  Wilson, "Why did my son have to die on the battlefield of France?"
Yet another mother asked President Lincoln, "Why did my son have to die at Gettysburg?"
And yet another mother asked President G. Washington, "Why did my son have to die near Valley Forge?"

Then long, long ago, a mother asked...
"Heavenly Father, why did my Son have to die on a cross outside of Jerusalem?"

The answers to all these are similar --"So  that others may have life and dwell in peace, happiness, and freedom."

So, I don't know which humbled me more: the reminder that this is the season of the Christ Child, or the reminder that we still have sons and daughters out there fighting for our rights. Fighting for our freedom.