National Mourning

Collective grief and remembrance is powerful. For the past week I have read multiple media pieces about our 38th president, Gerald R. Ford, who was buried today at his presidential museum in Grand Rapids, MI. Without fail they have all been positive. All speak of the man in glowing terms. They say, in so many words, that he was the nation's healer, the compassionate physician who mended a battered nation after the scandal that was called Watergate. That he did it by means of his everyman character, his goodman nature, his commoner approach to leadership based on his unassuming sense of responsibility guided by his commonsense convictions. They call him great.

And so he was.

To me, his death marks the end of an era--mostly, that of my awakening to broader world realities around me. His is the first Presidential Inauguration that made an impact on me, and I remember the sense of relief that came with knowing our system for transfer of power worked, even in the face of unprecedented historical events (the impeachment and resignation of President Nixon). His gaffes on the ski slopes and the golf links served to endear the man to all, especially in the face of surreal assassination attempts. He seemed truly a man between worlds, a gap bridger, a uniter. A President Washington of sorts, a kind of Lincoln, with hints of Roosevelt. A family man. A man committed to his wife and his community. Humble. Dutiful. Appropriately private. Appropriately public. A servant.

Much to be emulated.