President Reagan was a great man, who changed the world for the better. Yet, he never could have accomplished those historic feats without the love of Nancy. Her devotion to him all through the long dark days of his illness was a testament to their love. But it was their mutual devotion, that team, which enabled him to give so much to all of us.Thus far in our celebration of the 25th anniversary of President Reagan's inaugural, we've featured the great ideas that made Reagan a great President, and we will continue to do so for the remainder of the week. But let's pause for a few brief moments and reflect on the two Reagan's: Ron and Nancy.
Wordsmith at Sparks from the Anvil put together an excellent post on this topic: "Devoted husband, loving father...AND....a great President" which includes a superb visual array of Ron & Nancy photos.
He opens his look back with this quote of Nancy Reagan describing Ron: "What can you say about a man, who on Mother's Day sends flowers to his mother-in-law, with a note thanking her for making him the happiest man on Earth?"
Drop in at Sparks from the Anvil and read the rest and see the photos.It's reported that throughout their life together, they always walked hand in hand; and often left love notes for one another. As a press secretary put it, "They never took each other for granted. They never stopped courting."
Ronald Reagan seemed to possess the same kind of charm, likeability, and eloquence in his writings as he did in his public speaking. I wanted to find a love letter to share with you. The following, is a favorite of mine...not to Nancy, but to his son, Michael. A father's loving advice to his son. It is the first letter that Ronald Reagan wrote to Michael Reagan just before the latter was to be married:...Mike, you know better than many what an unhappy home is and what it can do to others. Now you have a chance to make it come out the way it should. There is no greater happiness for a man than approaching a door at the end of a day knowing someone on the other side of that door is waiting for the sound of his footsteps.
Love, Dad.
P.S. You'll never get in trouble if you say "I love you" at least once a day.
One of my favorite Ron & Nancy photos was taken at their ranch: Rancho Del Cielo. 8/13/81.
It's the strength of the Reagan's relationship which helped both of them weather the shock and the danger of the assasination attempt on Reagan's life March 30, 1981. Ken Taylor at The Liberal Lies, The Conservative Truth reflects on that scary event that almost ended the Reagan presidency just as it began. Ken also traces his own conservative roots back to his early years growing up in California with Reagan as Governor:
My political ideals and beliefs were nurtured by the President and I found my conservatism because of him. Through his words and actions as both Governor and President I found the core of my beliefs and the optimism to always find the greatness of America and even in the darkest times the ability to always see the light of freedom and liberty shine in our great land. His ability to always find the good in people and his belief that the citizens of this country are its strength and with Americans all things are possible will forever shape this nation.Ken goes on to examine how Republicans in congress and President Bush have strayed from the "less government" model of Reagan conservativism, but with hope that we rediscover this fundamental tenet of conservativism and common sense. He closes with:
Does Reagan's America still work ? Of course it does. His legacy to us will always shine through each of us as we believe in who we are and never take for granted the freedom and liberty that make us the great nation that we are. He new as we all should that once freedom is taken for granted it is then that we lose it. President Reagan said it best, " Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people. Those who have known freedom, and then lost it, have never known it again." Thank you President Reagan for everything!
Remembrance in Rhyme
"Scarlett", Mike's America Poet Laureate, offers us her Reagan reflection in rhyme:
Ronald Reagan January 20, 1981
What dreams did he dream
What prayers did he pray
on that cold January day.
Could he see what perils
before him lay.
Would he seek God's
help along the way.
Did he see his assassin.
Did he see his gun.
Did he feel strength ebb away.
But he couldn't die
He had just begun
He saw on that January day.
On that January day
Did he know he'd say
Mr. Gorbachev, Tear Down This Wall.
Would he know one and all
Could hear his clear call
As the wall fell in disarray.
As he took the Oath of Office
On that January day
When he swore to protect our land
Did he know a higher power
was holding him in His hand.
On that January day.
President Reagan and Mrs. Reagan watching a film in the White House Theater. 2/26/86.
Want to join the party? Link back to any of these posts with your own contribution. The big finale comes on Friday, January 20th
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