Presidential Lessons

Today I will start this post by being grateful for the little bit of energy that I have at the moment. I missed writing last week, but Covid decided it was time to strike, starting with me and unfortunately has spread to my parents. We are indeed very thankful for the work of many who have worked hard in their individual fields to research viruses, vaccines, medications, and kept us updated on protocols. We are grateful to all be vaccinated and due to multiple high risks, we all were prescribed Paxlovid, which has truly kept us from getting worse, and/or having to go to the hospital. And other than a little metallic taste, we have all actually tolerated it well. Praying and hoping for some negative results soon!

On the occasion of President Biden having his annual checkup and next Monday being Presidents Day, I thought I would take a look back on our past presidents and see what we could learn from a few of them…

Discover the joy of snail mail like President John Adams and his wife Abigail.
Laugh and spin yourself silly in honor of the spinning chair invention of President Thomas Jefferson.
Write daily for the sake of history and heritage like President John Quincy Adams.
Be mischievous like President Andrew Jackson, who liked to move and hide outhouses from the owners and sit back and watch them search!
Stay loyal to your word like President James A Polk.
Choose to be curious and learn something new like President Mildred Fillmore.
Be clever and store your important papers close like President Abe Lincoln.
Stroll in your own style like President Andrew Jackson, who was his own tailor, and would only wear the suits he made.
Celebrate like President Rutherford B. Hayes and his wife Lucy, who began the White House Easter Egg Roll.
Uncover a new hidden talent like President James A. Garfield, who could write with both hands at the same time.
Never underestimate a good mustache like President Grover Cleveland's, which hid that he had surgery on his mouth due to cancer. 
Let kids be kids, like the children of President Theodore Roosevelt! They brought their pony in the White House for an elevator ride!
Try out the bathtub for size and comfort before you settle in, you don't want to get stuck like President William H. Taft.
Allow your actions to speak louder than your words, once in a while, like President Calvin Coolidge.
Meet challenges head on, like President Franklin D. Roosevelt, but don't let people control what other's see and don't see that make you, you!
Ask yourself, can I truly laugh at myself like President Gerald Ford?

Now, All presidents have their ups and downs,
highs and lows, successes and mistakes.
We agree, and we disagree.
But facts are facts,
So let me list a few:
Presidents are human.
I am human, you are human.
Humans vote.
Voting is a right.
A right that has been fought for.
Fought for because there was the hope of new generations.
Generations that would and will bring change.
Change that would and will bring LIFE that will build up.
Build up, not tear down. 
As humans we always have an opportunity, in all circumstances, and from all people, to learn something new and apply it.
We can all do something, make an impact, no matter how small.
The wisdom and discernment in both learning and doing is up to you. It's up to me. 
The President is one person. And so are you. So am I. 
Whatever I do with today does matter.
Whatever you do with today does matter.
Doesn't have to be extravagant. Just look at the above Presidents, these facts made it in the history books! Letters, pranks, laughter... 


Life Books of the Week: Grover Cleveland, Again! A Treasury of American Presidents, by Ken Burns Illustrated by Gerald Kelley (Today's Picture) My absolute favorite collection on Presidents! 

A good laugh and one of my favorites also: President Taft is stuck in the Bath, by Mac Barnett