Jimmy Carter is my Hero

by Edmond
(Norfolk, VA)

Jimmy Carter is My Hero

What does it mean to age well? How should age be reflected in a man or woman’s face?

How should the years influence a person’s choices and actions? When I am old, who do I hope will look at me from my mirror?

I do not want to see a face paralyzed by Botox or by too much plastic surgery, and I do not want to see layers upon layers of make-up.

I want to see the meaning, love, experiences and efforts of my life etched into my face.

Most of all, I want to be able to say the person looking at me from the mirror has made a difference.

Hence the celebrities over 40 that I admire and feel are aging – or have aged – really well are the people who have been sure it’s “not about them.”

The group I most admire has named itself “The Elders,” and its honorary leader is Nelson Mandela.

Members of The Elders include Demond Tutu, Kofi Anan, and other key leaders from all over the world who have reached well into their 70’s and 80’s.

Among The Elders, Jimmy Carter is my greatest hero.

Jimmy Carter has taken every opportunity to devote his years well into old age to the needs of others. Becoming a champion of Habitat for Humanity shortly after leaving the Oval Office rehabilitated his public image, and it propelled him toward aging while serving others.

Then he founded the Carter Center and has used it to assure free democratic elections throughout the world as well as to try to help obliterate important illnesses and diseases that afflict the poorest peoples of the world.

Meanwhile, he has continued teaching Sunday School at his church, writing, and carrying on works of mercy and diplomacy. Old age has not stopped him – or any of The Elders – from working hard for the sake of others.

There is light in Jimmy Carter’s eyes that conveys compassion, dedication, love and sense of humor. He is a man of enormous integrity, faith, and action. His lined face and somewhat frail appearance bespeak a life well lived and a willingness to do all he can for as long as he possibly can.

I salute him!

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