Flashing before my eyes

As I approach 40, I notice that I'm thinking more about various times in my life, a collage of various events and circumstances, some of which could have sent me down a different road than the one I find myself on now.
I'm not really doing a lot of navel-gazing, wishful thinking or even second-guessing, but just noticing the people who and things which have shaped the present.
How did I end up in a relatively small town in Mississippi?
What would life be like if this relationship went differently or I was still in that job, or ... ?
I also sense this is a journey of healing - letting go of some deep wounds and leaving some what-ifs permanently in the rear-view mirror.
I love my life on the whole and the people who are closest to me, and I'm grateful to be alive.
I think it's good from time to time to take stock on where you are, how you got there (as best as you can figure it out), where you're spending time and other resources and why and whether you need to adjust your priorities or, at least, let go of the past.
Do your work Lord and let it be to your glory. Amen.

Where is this guy and the Americans he speaks of?

OK, I know that this is a Hollywood portrayal by the late George C. Scott but from what I gather this was a real speech given by the real Gen. George S. Patton. It is approaching six minutes and 30 seconds in length, but I think it's worth a look.
The language is salty (be forewarned if you've never seen it) and he paints horrific images of warfare, but he makes this very interesting point:
“All real Americans love the sting of battle. … Americans … will not tolerate a loser. That’s why Americans have never lost and will never lose a war because the very thought of losing is hateful to Americans.”
And I do agree with his overall strategy for victory, though with not quite the same vivid sentiments.
I must say that it saddens me when I hear we’ve lost another young man or woman in battle – and the news of a combat loss is magnified when it comes out of Iraq. And I understand that there are all manner of questions about why we got there in the first place, whether we were lied to, etc.
But we are there and we need to think very carefully about how we exit – examining what kind of message it will send and precedent it will set.
I think we need to reflect on the words of this controversial yet proven American warrior as we debate our next steps in Iraq.
Do the current generations of Americans have the stomach for a protracted conflict of eight to 10 years on other shores so that, as a result, we can live in relative peace here at home, not afraid to go to the grocery store because that little Bondo-colored beater parked in front just might be a car bomb?
Are the Americans the general speaks of now mostly in nursing homes and cemeteries? Are there any in the younger generations with the determination to see something through to the end, no matter how traumatic?
The only ones I can currently think of are the men and women braving the elements and unseen risks in far-off lands such as Iraq. Let’s give them a chance to finish the job and prove to the world that there are still tough, determined and resilient Americans left.