Changing of the Guard

I rode my bike to the Carter Center in Atlanta yesterday, where former President Jimmy Carter’s body laid in repose. Visitors walked through the entire Carter Center before getting to that room. No one rushed you at any point and you didn’t have to stay on line. Many people stopped to look at exhibits that told his life story along the way.

It was all very solemn, yet somehow Southern. Welcoming. Warm. Comfortable. (And yes, there was dedicated bike parking. Not only is that something you see commonly nowadays at events in Atlanta, but Jimmy and Rosalynn apparently used to ride bikes.)

Once I made it to the room of repose, about 30 of us formed a circle around an American-flag-draped casket. Suddenly, an attendant moved two bollards, the room got even more still, and the changing of the guard took place. Not a person moved or made a sound until members of each branch of the military were ceremoniously relieved by their replacements.

Speaking of Jimmy and Rosalynn, when I left the Carter Center building, I noticed there was a bush with its first flowers blooming. Just two. Perhaps them, reuniting.

And now we face another changing of the guard. May we somehow see the same level of decency we saw from this man throughout his life. Whatever you thought of him as President, may Jimmy Carter serve as a reminder that we all have the power to determine our own legacies.

Now, back to my legacy project. My gift to my future generations. There will be a day I can no longer do what I need to do for that. Today, God-willing, is not that day.