What If?

I'm reading a new book I picked up from the discount pile at Borders this last weekend. It's called What If and serves as a collection of historian written essays regarding significant events in history, and what would life be like if the outcome changed. The suppositions are sometimes small - what if the axe swing killed Alexander the Great - and some large - what if the US lost on D-Day. But they take that question and move from there. The impacts perhaps are exaggerated, but well thought out and discussed. For example, the very first disscusion asks what if the Assyrians destroyed Jerusalem in 700BC. The impact, as stated - no Jewish state or religion and no Christianity or Islam. Perhaps a little far fetched...but the whole exercise does what is should...has us think about the impact 'fate,' 'chances' or small events play on the course of history.
So of course this led to my self-discussion...my own what-if's. But this isn't relegated to mistakes I want to do over. No, the true forks in the road or events impacted by chance. So tonight I select one. What if I picked that other road and sent in that West Point attendence cards? Instead of BYU blue, it's the gray and black of USMA. Hind-sight can't be 20/20 here, but I can make some suppositions.

Yes, engineering. And I'd need a sport - perhaps fencing. A mission from 99-01 instead, and who knows where - perhaps Germany. But then would there be work with Devrim, Ina and Edith, to name a few? Then back to school - but no 2001 marriage. And probably not Amy. A 2003 graduation. So what does this mean? Marrying a nanny? But most assuredly a deployment to Iraq. And that opens a whole world of what-if's!

Perhaps a good road, a decent noble one. But one with out Cougars, dancing, Amy, Ashland, Abby and Grace. Nah I'll keep my girls! (Remember this isn't regret - just a review of life's decisions and chance).
HRP