One tidbit about Former President Jimmy Carter, whose extraordinary life we are honoring this week, and First Lady Rosalynn Carter, who died last year, is that the first Secret Service code names they were assigned were Dasher and Dancer. While these are the names of two reindeer from the song about Rudolph, they also signify persons in motion. And that’s what Jimmy and Rosalynn were.
After Jimmy’s loss in the 1980 presidential election, the Carters wrote their memoirs and contemplated the nature of his presidential library. They decided they did not want a memorial to Jimmy focused entirely on the past. Instead, they dreamed of a center that would focus on transformation in the present and the future. It would include walking trails for world leaders to gather for peacemaking. It would be called the Carter Center to emphasize the ongoing nature of its work.
Jimmy and Rosalynn also contemplated the direction of their own lives. They decided that their focus would also be on the present and future. They would offer themselves for service in big and small ways around the world and throughout the United States. One of the many tributes to them this week was by Habitat for Humanity here in Memphis. The group invited homeowners to share testimonials from the Carters’ work project here in 2016. The homeowners talked about how they experienced the hands-on, active love of Jimmy & Rosalynn and how the tangible work they and others did changed their lives forever.
When I visited the Holy Land in 2010, I was struck by how each important site of memory had an active church either built on top of the site or adjacent to it. It was a reminder that a Christian understanding of remembering always propels us toward life-changing work in the present and transformative hope for the future. We say these or similar words in one of our Eucharistic prayers each week;
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter’s 40-plus years of active service after his presidency inspire us to live out our faith in motion. Where are we called to “dash and dance” in 2025 and the years ahead?
Thank you Paul for this reflection. Thankful for Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter – Rest in Peace.
Amen.
Beautiful words of remembrance and honor
Thanks, Bill.
Grace, peace, and love,
Paul
The example these 2 set ….not only their outreach work, but for their marriage is beyond anything most could hope for but let’s keep trying. Love this Paul!
Thanks, Greta! We’ll keep trying!!
Love,
Paul
Soooo nice Paul. I saw most of the funeral.
I will be dashing and dancing to and from Syracuse NY with so many things surprises ahead that I hope will be beneficial in our present and future.
Zada,
Can’t wait to see how you’ll be dashing and dancing in the new year!
Love,
Paul
Paul, the Carters were an amazing couple. His presidency was marked by many “quiet” accomplishments in world peace, conservation, human rights and climate awareness. But I think they as a couple made significant changes and accomplishments after his presidency. RIP Jimmy and Rosalyn.
Rick,
I agree. I’m glad his time as President is getting a reassessment showing he was ahead of his time on a lot of issues, and often led in a quiet way focused on the long term.
Love and Blessings,
Paul
Right now we desperately needed to hear about people who have done such positive and loving and self-sacrificing things in their lives – to remind us of how good God is and that we must hold on to hope and joy.
Thanks, Nancy. Amen!
Love,
Paul
A sweet memory: I remember my Jimmy Carter bumper sticker for President on my Yellow Volkswagen during his election campaign, I remember a Habitat for Humanity home built for a dear assistant in my library service days in Charlotte and I remember the joy I felt when members of my staff at Everett Library traveled abroad to asst in building a habitat for humanity house for needy families in Venezuelan villages. Sweet memories!
Carol, so glad this reflection brought back so many sweet memories for you. Let’s create some more!
Blessings,
Paul
Good people. Excellent team!! I enjoyed Biden’s eulogy.
Thank you for encouraging hope!!