Author’s Note: I have two purposes in terms of work in this life. One is to share my story and journey with all of you. The other is to be the best political scientist, presidency scholar, presidential fellow, and general nerd I can be as I was trained to be. Both purposes are extremely important to me. This post gives me the chance to combine the two. What follows is the first time I have had an opportunity to do a post like this since I started blogging and making content. Doubt began to creep in. Should I say anything at all? I texted with a few of my chosen siblings who responded enthusiastically; because I told them I felt I was being led to share what follows with y’all. For the record: I am a moderate and an independent voter. I do not align with either party totally but vote in every election as I have since I turned eighteen. I am the epitome of an informed voter. A highly informed and engaged nerd is much more descriptive of what I am. That said, this is NOT a political post in anyway…just a post of gratitude, respect, and tribute.
Thank you for a lifetime of service to your country and the world: President Carter. I was not born when you were governor or president. That does not mean your presence and your extraordinary post presidency work did not loom large and inspire me. Quite the opposite: as a lifelong southerner myself it was impossible not to know about your world-changing work at The Carter Center. Once I decided political science was going to be my major in undergrad: your impact became even more profound for me. I wanted to understand better the challenges you faced during your presidency. What I discovered was a deeply human, honest, man, who tried his best daily to do what was right for the most people. You got it wrong a lot, but each day you kept trying to get it right.
Your faith, love of family, love of country/the world, and a decency so rarely seen nowadays it feels too good to be true is inspiring. It is true, however. It is your truth and legacy that will continue to impact generations around the world. I aspire to have an impact as well. Leaving the legacy of the world being better because I did my part to make it so. I would love to have a marriage and partnership like the one you shared with your beloved wife. 77 years of happy marriage and partnership: wow! Thank you, Mr. President, for everything you left and taught so many…including me. Your lessons and legacy mean: we have it from here. Go rest well, after a life more than well lived, sir. Well done, good and faithful servant.
With heartfelt gratitude and respect,
~Stacey