The Lottery of Life

I have played the lottery a few times in my life but haven't won any thing than perhaps my $1 back or maybe $5.   It certainly isn't some thing I do on a regular basis, and even when I buy a ticket, I really don't expect to win.

With my time off from work, I have been reading more and watching some very interesting documentaries. Over the past few days I watched Half the Sky which is about oppression of women around the globe.  After watching this, it occurred to me that I had won the lottery of life.

The portrayal of girls as young as five being sold to brothels where they are used and beaten, the story of countries in Africa where the rape and beating of women is thought to be normal and the practice of female genital mutilation which is tradition and still done to 130 million girls a year.  I don't see myself as better than these women; just had the feeling that on the ladder of life, I got lucky.
Being born a white female in the Midwestern United States during the 20th century most certainly was a lucky break. Granted, if I had been born in a previous time, even in the United States, I would have not had the right to vote.  I also could not have owned property; I would have been my husband's property.  This does not mean that my life has been perfect, but in comparison, I have had a remarkable chance at a good life.
My heart breaks for these girls and women and if it were in my power to make it all go away, I would.  There are some small breakthroughs occurring, and women are becoming more empowered.  Perhaps in the next fifty years, these atrocities can be reversed.  It's important that we are educated about the reality of what others around the globe must contend with.
As for the lottery, I think I'm done buying tickets.  I have already won.
Thought for the day:  He who allows oppression, shares the crime.    Erasmus