Crow’s Feet Writing Prompt #72-Second Chances

How a Second Chance Can Lead to a First-Place Finish

Photo by Giorgio Trovato on Unsplash

The “Second Chances” Writing Prompt got me thinking about how second chances have had a major impact on my life. It may be serendipity or fate or the way the universe works, but it certainly seems that, for the most part, second chances have helped me finish in first place.

Here are a few instances of how a second chance nudged me in an unanticipated direction that turned out to be very positive.

• My father was a physician who died suddenly when I was thirteen. I vowed to honor him by following in his footsteps — studying medicine and becoming a doctor. I quickly realized in my freshman year of college that medicine wasn’t for me. I dropped out of pre-med and instead chose to become an English major. This second chance at higher education eventually led me to a successful marketing career.
• I was a senior in college when the first lottery draft was held to induct men into military service during the Vietnam War. My birthday was number 38, which ensured that I would be drafted after I graduated. I fully expected to be sent to Vietnam to fight in a war I did not support and perhaps lose my life. I got a second chance when, quite by accident, I learned of an opening in a National Guard unit near my home. I…