Only the good die young, but some of them become centenarians
I sometimes admit how young I am by reminding people when I first came to this place called Earth from the celestial space we are all born of; a man named Jimmy Carter was the commander in chief of the United States of America. Shortly after my arrival, the position of president was taken up by an actor turned politician thus I was raised through the era of Reaganomics. However I am happy to know that for a brief moment all be it even in utero my first president was Jimmy Carter and …so sorry “cousin” Barack I think he is also my favorite President of all time. Although he was no longer in the White House as I grew up, his sense of duty, of leadership and charity has been a greater influence and impact on me than much of what our sitting presidents did to inspire me combined. Thank you President Carter.
I first signed up to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity in Lake County Illinois when I was just a teenager. In Milwaukee I continued to help out and I’m very proud to have been a part of projects building homes that I can still drive past and point out today on my way to the east side. Today my contribution is not only continued as a supporting member but as a brand builder and a small business owner. I asked politely if it would be okay to create an affiliate link with Sage of the West and one of my personal favorite Charities so I could share this wonderful agency with others and encourage them to help. Might seem like a simple and small request but I’m tremendously proud to be a part of habitat and thankful that my mother who brought me into this world when Jimmy was still running things also encouraged me to help others like he did. In fact it was my mother who suggested volunteer with Habitat so many years ago. I would become a real-estate agent in Milwaukee and building manager as well as a property analyst, no doubt influenced by my habitat work. After noting that my first boss was adamant about accepting section 8 rentals, I have refused since to work for anyone who does not make considerations for lower income housing needs.
I was recently at a gathering with a group of over a dozen of my peers and when asked the question, is anyone here doing any kind of charity work or volunteering from time to time? Sadly I was the only person who raised my hand. Not only was I surprised to see that no one but me and that group volunteered but to think I actually have worked with and supported more nonprofits than I can count on one hand and generally try to stop in to see what I can do to help whenever I’m able, despite having a mobility disability, fractured vertebrae, a spinal cord injury and other medical issues that sometimes leave me bedridden. When I am able-bodied there is nothing I am more pleased to do than to use those gifts to help people. Jimmy is one of the people who inspires me to be so. Whether we notice it or not Jimmy Carter’s legacy has permeated our world and enacted some of the most profound assistance and change to speak of, here in America and worldwide.
Whether it was working to eradicate disease in another country helping a local charity or just a neighbor Jimmy was known as someone who genuinely wanted to help and so, seeing him leave the world that he was seemingly running when I first entered it, is a somber occasion but overshadowed with the spirit that engendered peace throughout the world. Last month we said a final farewell and laid to rest one of the greatest leaders of our time, and I for one am hoping that the messages and missions he led so many of us on won’t soon stop to effect change for the whole world in the name of good.
