Today, at the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month I commemorated the moment of the armistice that ended “The War to End All Wars.”  (World War I)

I folded my hands and said a simple prayer:

Almighty Father of the Universe, I say a prayer for those souls who suffered and gave their lives in this terrible war and for those who continued to suffer because of it, long after the long-awaited peace had been declared.  I humbly beseech thee to hold them, as well as all others who have suffered because of the carnage man has fraught upon his fellow man, in your loving embrace so that they may feel your comfort in their hearts.

Amen.

As I raised the glass I had prepared for the purpose of making a private toast, I was suddenly overwhelmed with emotion and a voice in my heart, both firm and gentle, asked me,

What makes you think I’m not?