by Judi McLeod
June 10, 2004
In a world where everything seems fleeting comes a vignette destined to make an indelible imprint on collective human memory. That moment came when a daughter named Patti gave her mother a long embrace as the widow wept quietly in her daughter’s arms, but more precisely when Patti appeared to whisper in her mother’s ear, "He’s here."
In the entire lexicon of human language there could be no two words more comforting to a grief-stricken Nancy Davis Reagan than, "He’s here."
The 52-year-long and still going love affair between Nancy and Ronald Reagan transcends politics and presidencies. In fact, it transcends everything on earth including a decade of alzheimer’s disease.
Before the televised world Nancy Davis Reagan looked fragile. Weeping during the first religious ceremony honouring Ex-President Ronald Reagan, she touched the flag-draped coffin of her husband and ever so briefly laid her cheek on it during the 15-minute ceremony. In some news accounts, the widow seemed to say a few inaudible words when she laid her cheek on her husband’s coffin.
One can only imagine how profound the words. To everyone else in the world, Ronald Reagan may have been President of the United States of america. To Nancy, President Reagan is her lifelong soul mate.
"My life really began when I married my husband," she said. "I think a woman gets more if she acts feminine," is another one of her famous quotes.
Fighting words to the `Strident Brigade’ represented by feminists of the day. But Nancy kept her fighting focus on the protection of her husband when he was both in the Oval Office and in decline.
During the dark days of the Viet Nam War, an era identified by the former First Lady as the most difficult time to raise children because of the "crazy ideas" swept in by the era, prominent Hollywood stars like Jane Fonda, was earning the moniker, "Hanoi Jane".
at the same time, Nancy Reagan was writing a syndicated column, donating her salary to the National League of Families of american Prisoners and Missing in action in Southeast asia.
When the couple retreated from the world stage to enter the sad period now known as "The Long Goodbye", she spent her time at what she calls "a special place", the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. at the library she could surround herself with the things that most represented all the days of her husband’s life.
Not only did Ronald and Nancy Reagan have a romantic streak–they lived it.
While other celebratory couples may have spent time trying to milk the might of their not so long ago past, California sunsets, recalling those times from a canoe is where this couple wanted to be.
While he could still remember, a lifetime of looking back for Ronald and Nancy Reagan would have embraced countless photographs of themselves caught by the camera looking lovingly at each other on the dance floors of the world.
Dancing with Ronnie are memories that transcend the sunset burial that follows a state funeral.
Yes, Nancy looked fragile at the first religious ceremony honouring her beloved husband. Who wouldn’t look that way at age 82?
In little less than a month from the ex-president’s state funeral, his widow will have to face her first birthday without him, on July 6.
But in the heartache of her loss, the former First Lady can count on Patti’s words, "He’s here."
For Nancy Davis Reagan, Ronald Wilson Reagan will always be here. Love conquers all.
Canada Free Press founding editor Most recent by Judi McLeod is an award-winning journalist with 30 years experience in the print media. Her work has appeared on Newsmax.com, Drudge Report, Foxnews.com, Glenn Beck. Judi can be reached at: judi@canadafreepress.com
Pursuant to Title 17 U.S.C. 107, other copyrighted work is provided for educational purposes, research, critical comment, or debate without profit or payment. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for your own purposes beyond the 'fair use' exception, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. Views are those of authors and not necessarily those of Canada Free Press. Content is Copyright 1997-2024 the individual authors. Site Copyright 1997-2024 Canada Free Press.Com Privacy Statement