I’ll never forget a moment in the mid 1980s - I was a high school social studies teacher working on a curriculum project at the Carter Center in Atlanta. It was lunchtime, and I found myself sitting alone, enjoying a brief pause in the day. Suddenly, from over my shoulder, a gentle voice asked, “Mind if we join you?” I turned around and …
I’ll never forget a moment in the mid 1980s - I was a high school social studies teacher working on a curriculum project at the Carter Center in Atlanta. It was lunchtime, and I found myself sitting alone, enjoying a brief pause in the day. Suddenly, from over my shoulder, a gentle voice asked, “Mind if we join you?” I turned around and found myself face-to-face with Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter. To my astonishment, they sat down and chatted with me for about half an hour.
Their kindness and genuine interest in our conversation left an indelible mark on me. It wasn’t just their warmth but the profound humility of a man who had once led the free world and yet made time to engage so personally and meaningfully.
As we mourn his passing, I’m reminded that Jimmy Carter wasn’t just a statesman or a humanitarian—he was a man of extraordinary grace who believed deeply in the power of connection. Rest in peace, Mr. President. Your light will continue to guide us.
Thank you for sharing this, Peter. I believe that one of the greatest gifts that Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter possessed was their ability to connect with other human beings. 🌺
I am baffled by why people vote for trustifarians like Donald Trump who has never missed a meal or had to figure out how to make something out of spare parts because they couldn't afford it any other way.
What is most lacking in the entire Republican Party at all levels is creativity. They are not and never have been the party of creativity. As we witnessed in Trump's 1st term, he got many of his ridiculous ideas from watching the bozos on Fox News. And we know they aren't the greatest problem solvers.
It's already happening again, and Trump has surrounded himself with other billionaires who only care about dying with the most toys.
Aside from Margaret Chase Smith, Ike, and Gerald Ford, Republican support of the Republic has been questionable since the election of FDR and rescue of our government by his administration.
I keep waiting for Trump to lose it because of all the attention Carter is getting. Sooner or later, he will need to lash out and get the focus back on himself.
One might argue that Trump is also a man of "extraordinary character." Unfortunately for us all of his attributes are undesirable. This morning Simon Biles said that character doesn't matter to Americans any more. I couldn't disagree more.
Most Trump voters and supporters may not care about positive attributes like integrity, empathy, caring, unselfishness etc., but I cannot agree that it is all Americans.
Jon, how wonderful to see those two words linked, ‘grace and character’ plus ‘extraordinary’. I cannot agree more. Sadly very few voters apparently know the immense value of them. I immensely fortunate, had a Father with them as well who spent his life creating nonprofit opportunities for people for better health, housing and jobs. I spent my growing years listening to my parents talk about raising money ideas for organizations. As a child, I’d inwardly groan. Thank you for your sparking reply to Heather’s superb and moving letter today.
Thank You Peter Pappas for this sweet remembrance of a good and decent man. I am moved by his words on our Voyager space craft out in deep space.“This is a present from a small distant world, a token of our sounds, our science, our images, our music, our thoughts and our feelings. We are attempting to survive our time so we may live into yours. We hope someday, having solved the problem we face, to join a community of galactic civilizations. This record represents our hope and our determination, and our good will in a vast and awesome universe.”
-- Jimmy Carter, President of the United States of America, the White House, June 16, 1977
Funny story. The National Council for the Social Studies put out a call for 12 teachers to serve as "Curriculum Consultants" at the Carter Center for a big international arms control session with big names from all over the world. I applied - no pay - but free trip for a week to Atlanta.
After a few days, I asked our handler how tough it was to sort through all the application and choose only 12. She replied with a sly grin: "Only 15 applied." After that, I applied for everything I saw. Ended up getting loads of grants and fellowships. Lesson learned.
I’ll never forget a moment in the mid 1980s - I was a high school social studies teacher working on a curriculum project at the Carter Center in Atlanta. It was lunchtime, and I found myself sitting alone, enjoying a brief pause in the day. Suddenly, from over my shoulder, a gentle voice asked, “Mind if we join you?” I turned around and found myself face-to-face with Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter. To my astonishment, they sat down and chatted with me for about half an hour.
Their kindness and genuine interest in our conversation left an indelible mark on me. It wasn’t just their warmth but the profound humility of a man who had once led the free world and yet made time to engage so personally and meaningfully.
As we mourn his passing, I’m reminded that Jimmy Carter wasn’t just a statesman or a humanitarian—he was a man of extraordinary grace who believed deeply in the power of connection. Rest in peace, Mr. President. Your light will continue to guide us.
Thank you for sharing this, Peter. I believe that one of the greatest gifts that Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter possessed was their ability to connect with other human beings. 🌺
I am baffled by why people vote for trustifarians like Donald Trump who has never missed a meal or had to figure out how to make something out of spare parts because they couldn't afford it any other way.
What is most lacking in the entire Republican Party at all levels is creativity. They are not and never have been the party of creativity. As we witnessed in Trump's 1st term, he got many of his ridiculous ideas from watching the bozos on Fox News. And we know they aren't the greatest problem solvers.
It's already happening again, and Trump has surrounded himself with other billionaires who only care about dying with the most toys.
The Republicans have ceased to believe in government of, for and by the people. They worship concentrated wealth that is destroying us.
Aside from Margaret Chase Smith, Ike, and Gerald Ford, Republican support of the Republic has been questionable since the election of FDR and rescue of our government by his administration.
I know I have ....that... O-ring.........here......somewhere........
I keep waiting for Trump to lose it because of all the attention Carter is getting. Sooner or later, he will need to lash out and get the focus back on himself.
Your first paragraph applies to Musk as well.
They were so natural. Something we long for now.
He was a man of extraordinary grace and extraordinary character, something that is sadly lacking in so many of our leaders today.
One might argue that Trump is also a man of "extraordinary character." Unfortunately for us all of his attributes are undesirable. This morning Simon Biles said that character doesn't matter to Americans any more. I couldn't disagree more.
Most Trump voters and supporters may not care about positive attributes like integrity, empathy, caring, unselfishness etc., but I cannot agree that it is all Americans.
Jon, how wonderful to see those two words linked, ‘grace and character’ plus ‘extraordinary’. I cannot agree more. Sadly very few voters apparently know the immense value of them. I immensely fortunate, had a Father with them as well who spent his life creating nonprofit opportunities for people for better health, housing and jobs. I spent my growing years listening to my parents talk about raising money ideas for organizations. As a child, I’d inwardly groan. Thank you for your sparking reply to Heather’s superb and moving letter today.
Thank You Peter Pappas for this sweet remembrance of a good and decent man. I am moved by his words on our Voyager space craft out in deep space.“This is a present from a small distant world, a token of our sounds, our science, our images, our music, our thoughts and our feelings. We are attempting to survive our time so we may live into yours. We hope someday, having solved the problem we face, to join a community of galactic civilizations. This record represents our hope and our determination, and our good will in a vast and awesome universe.”
-- Jimmy Carter, President of the United States of America, the White House, June 16, 1977
I just saw a replica of his Voyager statement. Amazing
What a beautiful memory. We’ve lost an American treasure.
Thank you for this blessed memory, Peter!
❣️🙏👏💔🥺 Thanks for sharing ❣️ THIS is what a legacy looks like 👏🙏👏🙏👏
Peter, thank you for sharing this story. I, too, was a social studies teacher.
I graduated from college in 1976 and proudly cast my vote for President Carter, doing so again in 1980.
What decent folks the Carters were.
Funny story. The National Council for the Social Studies put out a call for 12 teachers to serve as "Curriculum Consultants" at the Carter Center for a big international arms control session with big names from all over the world. I applied - no pay - but free trip for a week to Atlanta.
After a few days, I asked our handler how tough it was to sort through all the application and choose only 12. She replied with a sly grin: "Only 15 applied." After that, I applied for everything I saw. Ended up getting loads of grants and fellowships. Lesson learned.
What an extraordinary gift.
Wow
Lucky you Peter Pappas!