First off, thanks for your prayers, thoughts, and even comments to previous blogs of mine.

I made it. I can't believe how good I am feeling after a nap. I didn't sleep well in the hospital. People came in constantly (nurses, techs, docs, nurse practitioners, and most gratefully family and friends). There was also a lot of beeping and whistling from the machines.

OK, so I didn't really get a chance to watch the "Star Wars" films as I would have liked. I did, however, see most of "Empire" and "Jedi" (though "Empire" was muted for the last half hour due to medical visits).

About two years ago I posted a blog asking, was Darth Vader's offer on Bespin literal: "We would be honored, if you would join us?"

At the time I was shot down at the idea, but after seeing it again I think I could be on to something.

Vader was trying to turn Luke to his side, if "I am your father" didn't do it, maybe "all your friends are doing it" would.

Also, this makes all the characters very noble. Now, they are not sticking to the right side for moral, ethic, brain-centered reasons, but for their friend, for personal, heart-centered reasons (I think both are worthwhile).

Think of what Vader could have offered Han, Leia, and Chewbacca:

Vader could have wiped Solo's debt to Jabba the Hutt clean, or simply destroyed Jabba.

He could have offered Princess Leia a "New Alderaan", perhaps the Empire wouldn't interfere there, and though she would not bring peace to the galaxy, she could restore it to the sons and daughters of Alderaan.

Vader could have even tempted Chewbacca with equal rights for Wookiees.

If Han, Leia, and Chewie were tempted in this way imagine what it would mean, what they were willing to give up, not just for a cause, but for Luke.
If that's the cause then they immediately began to pay for their lack of willingness to join. Han was sent to Jabba, Leia's personal world crumbled as Han was taken away from her, and Chewbacca was imprisoned in a cel.

Just some food for thought.

It's good to be back.