Inspiration for America

Yesterday, Monday, September 18th was a day of rest. It was also the 70th Year of the United States Air Force which Bob served in. We relaxed, went to lunch at Islands in Simi Valley and hung out with Johnny. The boys did a barbecue on the front porch since there is construction in the backyard. I did my meeting with the ladies of Pure Desire and it was a nice quiet happy day.

TODAY

September 19, 2017

Bob and I had the honor of going to the Ronald Regan Presidential Library here in Thousand Oaks, Ca. area. We had heard about it from our dear friends Tom and Dolly Green who have been to most of the Presidential Libraries. They have traveled a ton and are always full of stories and places to go.

It was a beautiful drive up a long driveway with the Admiral going with us. He, however, was not allowed in the building without paying a fare, so he had to only get his picture taken with Ronny's entrance poster. 

It was a four-hour amble through display section after display section. They were inspiring, thought-provoking, and entertaining. He was a wonderful President, interesting man, and, I believe, a true believer in God, humanity, and America. 

Key high points:

• Bob was a great guide and so kind to push me around so I could get everywhere.
• We got to see snippets of his whole life, not just presidency
• We learned details about the conflicts and political upheavals we lived through in our early years of marriage and parenting
• We got to walk through  Air Force One
• We got to hear about the internal details that eventually brought down the Berlin  Wall
• His passion and respect for our military and their value to our country was point on
  
• He had a huge love for the outdoors
• He honored and furthered the arts
• He kept journals and 3x5 cards with him so he could write down inspirational notes from his travels where he wrote poems and dreams as well as big ideas and feelings about current events
• We stood in a replica of the Oval Office. 
  
• The view and grounds were immaculate and the help so professional
• He recognized evil and the threat to the freedoms America enjoys and was not unwilling to confront them.
• Bob got to preach to the nation 
• Bob got to ride with Ronny at Camp David
• I got to wander around the rose garden and enjoy the view
• His room of evil men was really impactful
• His life and death struggle meaningful

Ronald Regan's mom told him, "When you come up against a trial or defeat son, step back from it and take a look at it, and then move on." In Regan's own words she was right. He struggled through so much, was shot, was carrying not only the US but the future of the world on his shoulders. The economy, the strength of the military, the soul of American's who had lost faith in themselves, and the ability to be respected in the world were his goals and he did really well.

Here's to you Mr President, we could use another you!