The 150th Anniversary of the End of the Civil War

One hundred and fifty years ago today, the bloodiest war in American history came to an end as General Robert E. Lee surrendered the Confederate cause to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia.

Having lived in Virginia for several years back in the early 1990’s, I was struck upon first seeing Appomattox Court House in how small and unassuming it was, particularly because this was the place where the culmination of our nation’s bloody atonement was concluded for our pernicious sin of slavery.

Many other nations at the time of our Civil War engaged in slavery, and indeed many still do today, but America purged its soul and finally made the first monumental step in keeping the promise of our Declaration of Independence that “all men are created equal”.  More than 700,000 people died in the cause of our Civil War accordingly.

Sadly, the sesquicentennial anniversary of this event that saved our nation and its soul will probably not even be mentioned in most media outlets today.  As Americans, most of us will ignorantly go about our daily lives and not stop to thank God and pray for those men who 150 years ago today ended our Civil War where they fought, bled, and died to save the union and make amends for a great evil.

Love and Taxes

Today is April 15th. Tax day. A day that most liberals love. (At least the liberals in congress do.) Well, nineteen years ago on this day, I decided to take what had otherwise been a gloomy day and make it into one of the very best days of my life.

You see, my beloved wife agreed to marry me and we eloped and got married on this day 19 years ago today. Of course we ended up having a church wedding in July of that year just so I would have two anniversary dates to remember. :)

These past nineteen years I have been blessed with my beautiful wife and best friend right by my side. Her intelligence and sense of compassion have shown me how to be a better man.

I have made many mistakes in my life, but I am ever thankful to God above that I got the most important decision in my life right when I asked my love to marry me. I am also eternally grateful to him that he gave my wife the singular flaw of having bad enough taste in men to say yes to my proposal. (Okay, she doesn't like the Portland Trailblazers, so she actually has two flaws.)

Anyway, I cannot think of a better way to have taken a necessary evil of a day devoted to paying taxes and turning it into the celebration of the anniversary of the union of the most wonderful girl in the world with me. I love you immensely, honey! Happy anniversary!