THE HINGE OF HISTORY
Life, Death and our hand on Decision's Door.
The Hinge of History opens on so great a gift as Life, yet on the other side of Decision's Door may be incalculable tragedy...
My Father was a WWII veteran fighting in the Pacific theatre, was scheduled for the first wave of the planned invasion of Japan (Operation Downfall). He made his peace with his inevitable death at the age of 20 -
then the Atomic Bomb fell.
He lived. They didn't.
I am here, writing this now, a Child of Choices made. But I am not unique. In all things, the Hinge of History swings, letting in Life or Death...
When were are given so great a gift as Life, even in the face of Tragedy, then we must not let our Life be in lived vain. Live boldly, honoring the dead, loving the living, remembering -
the Hinge of History swings on our choices, today and every day.
That's a good reflection, Rebecca. I just wish that more people understood that most of history does not happen organically; too many of OUR choices need to be made because the people pulling the strings are not concerned about death, since it's not theirs on the horizon.
Dear R.H.,
This post--including the cogent followup comments from @cherylruffing and yourself--packs one powerful philosophical punch, while simultaneously making my spirits soar.
And, ye gods. Hinge of History. Child of Choices. These two phrases alone get my own poet’s blood racing.
And the perfect accompaniment of your beautiful opening photograph, with its foreboding and hopefulness. (I presume it’s the Texas Sky? Truly a never-ending wonder.)
I will be thinking about all of these for some time to come.