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A Mortal Pulled from the Pit

  I stand at the edge. Beyond my vision the road continues, but where will it take me? How many more pits and detours? What about others who travel the same or similar roads? Will we reach our destinations? Southern Gospel lyrics come to mind: "Through this world of toils and snares, if I falter, Lord who cares? Who with me my burden shares? None but Thee dear Lord, none but Thee." I turn and look beyond the edge to where the road descends into darkness, and I remember the beginnings of my own odyssey. The year was 1965 and the beginning of my senior year at a private prep school on a college campus. I strove to maintain a place on the honor roll that would ensure college acceptance and student deferment from military draft. The Vietnam War's insatiable appetite for young men was unrelenting. Family, a girl friend, studies, work, athletics, and buying a '57 Chevy summed up the cares of my youth. That was until an October Monday morning when summoned to the school ...
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Domino Effect of Fatherhood

  Can you imagine someone standing at a gate or in a doorway wearing their eyes out as they watch day after day for the return of a loved one? This is common among those concerned about the welfare of sons or daughters who have wandered away into a world of substance abuse and addiction. From behind prison bars I share with my wife the watch while waiting for the return of a wandering son. The question arises regarding a father's culpability even if only by not being present. Everyone is accountable for their own actions, but fathers must also accept responsibility for the domino effect when absent from parental guidance. I look among the men whose crimes have removed them from the graces of society and realize they are not alone as prisoners. Most of these men are not likely to understand how their actions have created a reflective captivity for their loved ones. Especially for mothers struggling to provide for their children. It is not difficult to find a contributing facto...
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