My father has recently written a book. My family had always wondered where I had gotten my talent because my mother is a whiz with numbers and my father always loved history. We had no idea that he had such strong writing skills so after editing his manuscript, I could see full-well how God had blessed me with such a talent.

My father is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to history

especially Biblical history and the prophecies of the last days. He actually told me about his idea about seven years ago with the intentions of having me write it, but I never could find the time. He has done a much better job than I could have ever done.

I don't think the events of last week would have had the effect on me that it had if I hadn't already read Dad's book. It is amazing the similarities of the book, which is based on Revelations from the Bible, and what is occurring in the world. Someone recently mentioned to me that this may be the beginning of Armageddon

my dad has been predicting it for years.

In light of the events, I started reading the prophecies of Nostradamus. About a year and a half ago, someone was talking about Nostradamus' predictions and said that the anti-Christ would come from the middle east and would be surrounded by money. They also said that he would come from a large family and much of his backing would come from a majority of bankers.

On Wednesday night, I was surfing the Internet and happened upon abc.com in my search for the prophecies of Nostradamus. On the home page of abc.com the headline read, "Osama bin Ladin, Terror Banker."

Now of course this could all be coincidence like so many other things in life, but it made me stop and wonder. In the meantime, I was thinking about Dad's book and the twist of the ending came to mind.

Now, I'm not saying that Osama bin Ladin is the anti-Christ, but it has sure made me wonder whether or not the world really may be in its latter days. So many doubt the predictions of Nostradamus, but he's been right for the most part so far, so I tend to lean toward the idea that maybe what he said was right.

I've also heard and read that in times of war, more male babies are born than females. Last week, I became an aunt; my nephew Dalton is one week and one day old today (and he is beautiful, of course).

Now I'm sure that most of this is coincidence and I'm not really convinced that the world is going to end tomorrow or next week. But, with President Bush declaring war on nations of terrorism, it all makes me wonder. It makes me appreciate the things I have now, not the things I want in my lifetime.

I am thankful to live in Greenville, Ala., instead of New York, New York where I spent part of 1995. I am thankful that Maingate.com decided not to move its writers to Washington, D.C., leaving my department behind to rehire upon relocation. I am thankful that I have had 28 years with my parents and part of those years with three wonderful brothers. I am blessed to have friends to call upon in times of confusion, trouble and need.

Even if all the events are coincidence, it reminds me that life is not forever, even though sometimes I may feel like it is, and to thank God for everyday I have on earth.