The "Long Goodbye" is Over

FrontPagemagazine.com ^ | 6/09/04 | Michael Reagan

[kattracks]

On Saturday afternoon, after what Nancy called "the long goodbye," my father went home.

My first reaction was to recall Edwin Stanton’s words when Abraham Lincoln breathed his last: "Now he belongs to the ages."

That can only be said about giants, and my father was a giant – he towered above his contemporaries and the great majority of the world’s most famous political figures past and present.

Nowadays much is said about the legacies American presidents leave behind, and only a tiny handful of presidents of the United States left behind them legacies as abundant as that which my dad left behind.

When he came into office the nation was nearly an economic basket case. The morale of the American people was at rock bottom – we had lost that confidence in ourselves that had created the American colossus, and our leaders had surrendered to the idea that the Cold War would be a permanent fixture on the world scene.

When he left office after eight years, the economy was booming, we had recaptured the can-do spirit that had motivated Americans for generations, and the Soviet Union was approaching collapse and with it the Cold War.

His legacy included far more than his accomplishments in statecraft. His optimism was contagious, he showed us the shining city on the hill, and taught us that we could reach it.

Throughout it all he never lost his sense of humility, his innate decency, his love of country, and his love of the American people. He was a gentleman to the tips of his fingers in an age of incivility.

In all my life with him I never saw him do anything to hurt another person. He would have rather cut off his hands than offend a fellow human being.

Above all, my father lived as close to his maker as it is possible for a mortal to be. Every morning he put himself in God’s hands, accepting whatever happened as the will of the Lord with absolute confidence that he would receive whatever he needed to cope with whatever the Lord put in front of him.

Today as I joined my family at the first of the memorial services, I felt grief at his passing. But, as I stood over the casket this morning I was comforted in knowing that with all of the gifts that my father had given to the nation that the greatest gift he had given to me was knowing that at one o’clock Saturday afternoon when my father closed his eyes for the last time he went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. A finer gift cannot be given to a son.

Thank you Dad, I love you.

---

Mike Reagan, the eldest son of President Ronald Reagan, is heard on more than 200 talk radio stations nationally as part of the Premiere Radio Network.

[The Truth Will Make You Free]

Awesome

[barker]

I feel very sad for the family and the friends of President Reagan and all the people that loved him. But I cannot feel sad for President Reagan under the circumstances of his death. He is soaring now. His body and mind are healthy again and he is safe and secure in Heaven.

[Dog]

My first reaction was to recall Edwin Stanton’s words when Abraham Lincoln breathed his last: "Now he belongs to the ages."

:-)

[ODDITHER]

I have never been one to have idols. Yes, I have had my favorite movie stars etc. I have never suffered from what I call the Elvis complex.

Jesus Christ has aalways been my guide through life..

With that said, two people have influenced me more than any others. Ronald Reagan and CS Lewis.

Ronald was the first president I worked for. I remember making hundreds of phone calls leading up to his re-election. Half way through making the phone calls, I commented to my husband, I don't know why I am doing this, Most everyone I talk to is voting for him.

I can still remember the script. "hello, I am calling to remind you to vote on Tuesday, and ask you to support President Reagan in his re-election bid."

I have worked many phone banks since and have never had the same reaction that I had the time I worked on President Reagan's re-election campaign.

It wasn't that so few people attacked him or were angry about him, it was the fact that so many people wanted to tell me how much they loved and admired him. It was as if they had been waiting for a chance to voice this opinion to someone - anyone..

The press has tried to change this, the democrats have tried to change this - but people still keep loving , admiring and defending President Reagan. They have a personal attachment to him. He was their President. He will always be MY Presdent Reagan.

We have all had a long goodbye, I didn't think it would hurt this much. His vision, his policies and his love of America will live on - despite the attacks from the left wing media and politicians - people will continue to honor him.