Thank you Michael for writing this beautiful tribute to Jimmy Carter. The tears, I’m shedding now are based on your beautiful words about you and your time with him, and feeling hopeful that someday we can turn around and lead that kind of country again. At 71 years old I’m so happy I lived during the time that someone like this was President of the United States, and I hope things will become different so my grandchildren can feel the same way.
Thank you, Dinny, for expressing your sentiments so well. I share them. And thank you, Michael, for your letter to this amazing man who embodies what is good and true--and to be emulated. He has lived his ideals and shown us how it is done every moment of every day.
For that 1980 election I was a Peace Corp volunteer out of the country and was clueless about absentee voting. That was the last and only election where I did not vote. I have followed and contributed to The Carter Center for years and will continue to do so for my lifetime. I think about what kind of country we would be had he won that election, but then again WOW who could have imagined such a productive post presidency!
I also cast my first presidential vote for President Carter during his first run when I was a college student. I was elated when he won! He was a kind compassionate and thoughtful leader. I truly believe history will show the amazing man he was. It is unfortunate, he did not receive more praise throughout his life. Thinking about it, as humble as he is, he probably wouldn’t want everyone making the fuss over him.
Agree with all. I too was a college junior in 1976 when I had my first vote, and voted for Carter. In 1980, showman Reagan steamrolled him. Voters wanted someone to lie and tell them everything was ok, whereas Carter tried to get nation to face up to climate and energy issues. Carter didn't crave the attention, while Reagan was a professional actor - that says it all, and this was only 1980, before all the online internet craze.
Amen. His goodness has touched me deeply, as he has millions upon millions. His shining light will be deeply missed. Thank you, Michael, for this post.
Jimmy Carter was all that you described in your piece. He was described as "weak" but actually was a very strong person because standing up for his belief in God was HARD! He said things people did not want to hear but were right in line with his life beliefs. He integrated his Christ following into his life. He was the real deal. Jimmy Carter showed himself to be a "good and faithful servant."
TELLING someone all the reasons we love them while they are still here is truly a gift to them.
REMINDING us all of another time fraught with tension puts the world today in perspective.
SHARING with your readers, your observations and feelings of those moments in time leaves us with gratitude for the great human being we elected then and appreciation for the fine human being leading us now.
You are a mensch Michael.
WISHING PRESIDENT CARTER'S ETHICS WERE MANDATES FOR EVERYONE RUNNING FOR OFFICE.
Wonderful piece Michael. I think you underestimated the need for 10,000 more President Carters. I think the number must be in the millions. Peace my friend.
Thank you for writing this Mike. I have often said that I think Jimmy Carter was one of the best presidents we’ve ever had. People look at me like I’m crazy. Nice to know I’m not alone in that point of view. President Carter, thank you.
Truly a remarkable man. So humble and kind. I was proud to have voted for him for president. God bless you President Carter. You have served your country well. ☮️🙏🏻💙🙏🏻☮️
I met the President Carter the First Lady and the Carter family when I went to the White House for the gala event on the south lawn celebrating the the Newport Jazz festival. It was a memorable event. I was given a tour of the White House by one of the his advisors.
When I was a fourth grader I had made a replica of the White House out of sugar cubes, and with food coloring watercolor painted each room red, blue, green. I was surprised in many ways at the scale of the place. Of course, there was a lot of security but I did get to rescue Amy from a overly pushy reporter. She was young and extremely shy, by then I had my daughter who was 5 years old at the time. I remember thinking it must have been hard to be a presidents daughter. I only had brief introduction to the President and Rosalyn, but it was one ingrained in my memory.
President Carter was a strong leader despite the spin at the time, he had more courage and humility than most Presidents. What an honor Mike! to have him acknowledge you in such a meaningful way. Not many politicians will have the courage to stand next to an activist for speaking up on what is right and that he agreed with you.
I am a Legacy member of the Carter Center because I want to make my small contribution to follow the Carters in saving the world. They have been an inspiration to me since I was old enough to vote and i will be one of millions who weep when we, the collective world, lose him. I love and honor you, sir, and bless you both.
Thank you Michael for this tribute to Jimmy Carter. His presidential campaign was the first campaign that I worked on. He is a giant among men. He was ahead of his time with concern about the climate crisis. If only we had taken him more seriously we could be ahead on this issue. Because of him our church has worked diligently with Habitat for Humanity raising money for it and helping build homes in a community that was resistant. I pray that he spends his last days peacefully with his family.
Yes to climate issues. He was ahead of his time. I remember waiting in gas lines as oil companies deliberately didn't offload oil to create this crisis. The machine was already at work to install Reagan.
This 71 year old Georgian says “thank you for this and Amen!”
I encountered Jimmy Carter a number of times over the years, beginning in 1972 when Gov. Carter was the commencement speaker at LaGrange College and as student body president I led the procession (with him right behind me) into the hall. Some of my UGA law school classmates and I drove over to Atlanta for his election night party in 1976, which lasted all night…the election was not called until after 3:00 am.
I’ve seen him in Atlanta several times since, most recently on election night 2014 at the Michelle Nunn and Jason Carter election night party. And there were the times I was on planes with him over the years, when he routinely walked the length of the plane to shake everyone’s hand.
Atlanta and Georgia will feel a bit empty to me when he’s gone. I’ve always known that when the day comes, I will be wherever the crowd gathers on the streets of Atlanta to pay homage and show my gratitude for Jimmy Carter. He and a few other elected officials, notably Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allen, helped lead us out of the Jim Crow of my childhood and toward a better place.
I was 22 the first time I could vote for President. I got all dressed up to mark the occasion. Took my two year old to the polls and explained to him why voting is a right and a privilege... but most of all it’s a duty. A blessed duty.
I cast that first ever vote for my hero, Jimmy Carter. And I wept then with both hope and pride.
Today I weep tears of sorrow. And My grief this past week is unabated.
We all need to be like Jimmy.
Thats the point of his great life: not to simply admire him, but to emulate him.
Your comments are beautiful, profound and inspiring. Voting is a blessed duty. And the point of Jimmy Carter's great life is to emulate him - so true and what he would want. We can all do something to try to be like Jimmy. Thank you for this post. I'm grieving, too.
Thank you Michael for writing this beautiful tribute to Jimmy Carter. The tears, I’m shedding now are based on your beautiful words about you and your time with him, and feeling hopeful that someday we can turn around and lead that kind of country again. At 71 years old I’m so happy I lived during the time that someone like this was President of the United States, and I hope things will become different so my grandchildren can feel the same way.
Yes to this. Me too, at age 66. We've seen the good/bad/ugly of US presidents in our lives.
Right there with you, sister. Wiping tears away. At 70, I cling to those happier days of hope.
Thank you, Dinny, for expressing your sentiments so well. I share them. And thank you, Michael, for your letter to this amazing man who embodies what is good and true--and to be emulated. He has lived his ideals and shown us how it is done every moment of every day.
For that 1980 election I was a Peace Corp volunteer out of the country and was clueless about absentee voting. That was the last and only election where I did not vote. I have followed and contributed to The Carter Center for years and will continue to do so for my lifetime. I think about what kind of country we would be had he won that election, but then again WOW who could have imagined such a productive post presidency!
I also cast my first presidential vote for President Carter during his first run when I was a college student. I was elated when he won! He was a kind compassionate and thoughtful leader. I truly believe history will show the amazing man he was. It is unfortunate, he did not receive more praise throughout his life. Thinking about it, as humble as he is, he probably wouldn’t want everyone making the fuss over him.
Agree with all. I too was a college junior in 1976 when I had my first vote, and voted for Carter. In 1980, showman Reagan steamrolled him. Voters wanted someone to lie and tell them everything was ok, whereas Carter tried to get nation to face up to climate and energy issues. Carter didn't crave the attention, while Reagan was a professional actor - that says it all, and this was only 1980, before all the online internet craze.
Amen. His goodness has touched me deeply, as he has millions upon millions. His shining light will be deeply missed. Thank you, Michael, for this post.
Jimmy Carter was all that you described in your piece. He was described as "weak" but actually was a very strong person because standing up for his belief in God was HARD! He said things people did not want to hear but were right in line with his life beliefs. He integrated his Christ following into his life. He was the real deal. Jimmy Carter showed himself to be a "good and faithful servant."
You speak the truth. Thanks!
If we knew then, what we know now.
TELLING someone all the reasons we love them while they are still here is truly a gift to them.
REMINDING us all of another time fraught with tension puts the world today in perspective.
SHARING with your readers, your observations and feelings of those moments in time leaves us with gratitude for the great human being we elected then and appreciation for the fine human being leading us now.
You are a mensch Michael.
WISHING PRESIDENT CARTER'S ETHICS WERE MANDATES FOR EVERYONE RUNNING FOR OFFICE.
Wonderful piece Michael. I think you underestimated the need for 10,000 more President Carters. I think the number must be in the millions. Peace my friend.
Thank you for writing this Mike. I have often said that I think Jimmy Carter was one of the best presidents we’ve ever had. People look at me like I’m crazy. Nice to know I’m not alone in that point of view. President Carter, thank you.
You are far from alone!
Truly a remarkable man. So humble and kind. I was proud to have voted for him for president. God bless you President Carter. You have served your country well. ☮️🙏🏻💙🙏🏻☮️
Thank you for this, Michael. You've given voice to our sense of heartbreak.
I met the President Carter the First Lady and the Carter family when I went to the White House for the gala event on the south lawn celebrating the the Newport Jazz festival. It was a memorable event. I was given a tour of the White House by one of the his advisors.
When I was a fourth grader I had made a replica of the White House out of sugar cubes, and with food coloring watercolor painted each room red, blue, green. I was surprised in many ways at the scale of the place. Of course, there was a lot of security but I did get to rescue Amy from a overly pushy reporter. She was young and extremely shy, by then I had my daughter who was 5 years old at the time. I remember thinking it must have been hard to be a presidents daughter. I only had brief introduction to the President and Rosalyn, but it was one ingrained in my memory.
President Carter was a strong leader despite the spin at the time, he had more courage and humility than most Presidents. What an honor Mike! to have him acknowledge you in such a meaningful way. Not many politicians will have the courage to stand next to an activist for speaking up on what is right and that he agreed with you.
Thanks for sharing that memory.
I am a Legacy member of the Carter Center because I want to make my small contribution to follow the Carters in saving the world. They have been an inspiration to me since I was old enough to vote and i will be one of millions who weep when we, the collective world, lose him. I love and honor you, sir, and bless you both.
Thank you Michael for this tribute to Jimmy Carter. His presidential campaign was the first campaign that I worked on. He is a giant among men. He was ahead of his time with concern about the climate crisis. If only we had taken him more seriously we could be ahead on this issue. Because of him our church has worked diligently with Habitat for Humanity raising money for it and helping build homes in a community that was resistant. I pray that he spends his last days peacefully with his family.
Yes to climate issues. He was ahead of his time. I remember waiting in gas lines as oil companies deliberately didn't offload oil to create this crisis. The machine was already at work to install Reagan.
Well said, Michael. Jimmy Carter is certainly a great human being.
Indeed... in tears.
I shook his hand when I volunteered at the Jimmy Carter Work Project in Detroit years ago. God Bless President Carter and his family.
Wow, lucky you. Must've been a great experience. Thanks.
This 71 year old Georgian says “thank you for this and Amen!”
I encountered Jimmy Carter a number of times over the years, beginning in 1972 when Gov. Carter was the commencement speaker at LaGrange College and as student body president I led the procession (with him right behind me) into the hall. Some of my UGA law school classmates and I drove over to Atlanta for his election night party in 1976, which lasted all night…the election was not called until after 3:00 am.
I’ve seen him in Atlanta several times since, most recently on election night 2014 at the Michelle Nunn and Jason Carter election night party. And there were the times I was on planes with him over the years, when he routinely walked the length of the plane to shake everyone’s hand.
Atlanta and Georgia will feel a bit empty to me when he’s gone. I’ve always known that when the day comes, I will be wherever the crowd gathers on the streets of Atlanta to pay homage and show my gratitude for Jimmy Carter. He and a few other elected officials, notably Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allen, helped lead us out of the Jim Crow of my childhood and toward a better place.
I was 22 the first time I could vote for President. I got all dressed up to mark the occasion. Took my two year old to the polls and explained to him why voting is a right and a privilege... but most of all it’s a duty. A blessed duty.
I cast that first ever vote for my hero, Jimmy Carter. And I wept then with both hope and pride.
Today I weep tears of sorrow. And My grief this past week is unabated.
We all need to be like Jimmy.
Thats the point of his great life: not to simply admire him, but to emulate him.
Your comments are beautiful, profound and inspiring. Voting is a blessed duty. And the point of Jimmy Carter's great life is to emulate him - so true and what he would want. We can all do something to try to be like Jimmy. Thank you for this post. I'm grieving, too.