From my front porch looking in

    
" Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity " - Seneca

     I have never met Seneca, and I'm sure he's a wonderful man with brilliant views on life.  I do appreciate the theory behind his quote, I really do.  I am all for preparation and hard work.  In most cases, this will lead you to better things, reaching goals, and attaining a higher standard of life.  I try to live my life the right way, I do have a good work ethic, I respect authority, and I try to follow that whole.."do unto others.." adage, my parents would have it no other way!!  My parents are the best!!  They have done their best to lead my sisters and I down the right paths, doing their best to shelter us from all the pit-falls and obstacles that life can throw at you. Sometimes, you can lead a horse to water,...well,.. you know the rest!  I sure am thirsty!
     Somewhere along the way, I have contracted a rogue gene, one that likes to play, one that simply cannot get out of it's own way at times. This gene causes one to make some very strange decisions.  I know I didn't get this gene from my dad.  I have never met a man that looks at a decision in a more thorough way, weighing all the pro's and con's, and letting that dictate the direction to go.  Seems simple enough.  I wonder where I was when he was trying to get that message across.  My mother was the picture of organization, everything has its place.  Although I don't keep things in a manner that would appease her keen sense of organization and neatness, I have managed to absorb many of her traits in this area. My wife Alice is quick to say, "ok, Marilyn !" when I let my anal tendencies to organize or clean something get the best of me! (Love and miss you so much MOM !!)
     Life is full of decisions, although I have botched my share, sometimes you make just enough bad decisions to end up in a wonderful place. Had I made the "right" move here, the "more mature" move there, I may be working in a tailored suit, for a large corporation, working late and taking all the problems home that come along with added responsibility.  One thing I can state as fact, I would not have the wife I have or the daughter I have had I made the "right" decisions!  See, there is a method to my madness, it's all part of the master plan!!  What exactly are the odds of hitting the lotto? Then I ask myself what the odds are of hitting it TWICE ?  I have defied the odds and hit the lotto once, no, not THAT lotto.  Sometimes luck just finds you even if you have done your best to hide behind the curtains.  Standing in my home and looking at the company I keep,....Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner !!!