I created this piece in 2025, but it melds together a photo of me taken in 1976 at our recognition ceremony, and a poem written in probably 1978. I recently discovered the hand-written poem among my keepsakes from USAFA. While I have no memory of writing it, I have no doubt I did. It captures some of the emotions I was experiencing as I faced the decision deadline to choose to stay at USAFA, thereby incurring an AF commitment, or to leave the Academy with my academic credits to date and no commitment. My mother applied to USAFA on my behalf and, while I eventually participated in the process, my heart’s desire was to go to medical school at Case Western Reserve. Once I entered USAFA, I gave it my all (Superintendent’s List all eight semesters), never willing to give up or let “the system” beat me. Deep down, however, I always harbored doubts about my place there. In the end, I graduated, serving six years on active duty and 21 in the Air Force Reserve, retiring as a Colonel. My life has been wonderful so I guess I’m glad I stayed but, occasionally, in the dark of night, I wonder “What if…?”