I'm still here

 For the record – I’m still here.

.​





The doctors advised my mother that she should terminate her pregnancy, as the fetus would not survive the delivery. My mother said no, and I was born.


Upon birth, the doctors said I would not live to see my 2nd birthday. I survived.


Many considered me the black sheep of the family, no way I would make it to see my 18th birthday. I did.


Vietnam was scheduled to be my last hurrah. I am a decorated combat veteran. Winning the disdain of many of my peers.


There was no way I would get past my freshman year; such stupidity and foolishness would never be good for anything more than washing dishes or sweeping floors. Well, a B.A., 2 M.A.s, and a Ph.d. later. The last 2 from the University of Chicago…What can I say?


Drugs, suicidal tendencies, post-traumatic stress disorder, and just plain off -no way I could survive; I would drop along the side of the road, be arrested, or fall down a manhole. Damn, I am still here.


Through it all, failures have been common. But I received forgiveness, grace, and mercy for each failure and learned valuable lessons. What the enemy planned for my demise, my God used for my surprise -guess what…I’m Still Here.

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