Grateful Day

Today, watching the funeral procession of former President Ronald Reagan on television, I saw so many people who came to pay their respects, and to acknowledge the debt we owe such a great man. The news media, and persons on both sides of the political spectrum had many stories to tell of Mr. Reagan.

I know every man (and woman) will have their faults, and Mr. Reagan is no exception. Yet to witness such an outpouring by so many, and to see the love Nancy and Ron had for each other, and to hear the telling of all the broad accomplishments of the man, it is easy to forget the things that were not the best. In fact, there is no need to mention or remember them at all.

Not all of us will reach the pinnacle that Mr. Reagan did, but all of us are capable of reaching beyond ourselves, and becoming something better than we are. I think that is his legacy to us, that he both taught and demonstrated that ability to achieve great things, and that he knew each of us could do great things too.

Mostly my mood at his passing is that I am very grateful.

I am grateful we had such a man in our lives, in our history, and that he made us proud of what he did.

I am grateful that I can still be proud to be an American, and that we still live free.

Beyond the prosperity and the affluence we enjoy is the peace we have. It is a peace that endures in the midst of terrorism, and in the face of those who would deny us both our peace and our freedoms.

I am grateful for my family, – my beautiful wife, and my kids who make me proud of them, and those friends who are close to me, here in the desert where I live. For my life is rich and is blessed with their presence.

I am also grateful for you writers here at mymac.com. You, to whom I have grown to love and admire for all the good things you do.

I am grateful for having a voice here, a forum where I can say what I want to say, and write what I want to write about.

I am also grateful that this webzine has readers! To all of you who take the time to visit us, and to read our rants and opinions, and our excellent reviews, thank you!

The passing of a hero, and a man of honor and principle is not an easy thing to endure. Its not easy even when his passing was a blessing to him and his family, as they fought such an insidious disease that slowly steals the personality and awareness of its victim. Nancy too, is a hero in this, and in all she did as she stood by her hero for so many decades. Such people make us proud to be Americans, even in the midst of their terrible burdens, and in hour of their passing.

May there be many more such people as these in our time and in our lives – Americans, whom the world can be proud of too.