Fond Memories

These past weeks I have watched and read many tributes to a great man. And as I do, I have seen many pictures of a President that bring back fond memories. Not just of President Reagan, but also of my grandfather. In particular a photo of my grandfather taken in 1971. It was my birthday party. I was four. He had just given me a silver locomotive. I found myself wondering what it was about President Reagan that kept triggering thoughts of that picture. Then it struck me. It was his eyes. There is scarcely a picture of Ronald Reagan where you can't see the joy in his eyes. The same joy my grandpa had in his eyes. The eyes of an optimist.
A few days ago, I shared this with my Father. He told me a story about Grandpa's encounter with President Reagan. He was at a convention where Ronald Reagan was speaking. Dad wasn't sure if this was before or after he was elected Governor. When Grandpa returned home, he couldn't stop talking about Ronald Reagan, saying, "He should be our next President."
God bless you, Mrs. Reagan. You, your husband, and your children are in our thoughts and prayers.