Fri-YAY: Happy Birthday, President Carter!

As George R.R. Martin wrote in the Game of Thrones books, the night is dark and full of terrors, the day bright and beautiful and full of hope. In this space I plan to mention something that makes me smile: an organization, a story I found, a cute picture, really anything that brightens up my day and I hope might brighten up your day too.

Yesterday, former President Jimmy Carter turned 96 years young. Last year, President Carter became the oldest living ex-President in the nation’s history. After leaving office in 1981, President Carter has continued to contribute to society through his work at the Carter Center (monitoring over 100 elections for fairness and working to eradicate Guinea worm disease), Habitat for Humanity, and teaching Sunday School at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia. In addition to being the oldest living ex-President, Jimmy is also the longest-married President, celebrating his 74th wedding anniversary with Rosalynn in July of this year.

The first biography of the ex-President was released on Tuesday of this week. A new documentary on the former' President’s relationship with the music industry is available via streaming cinema and is on my “to watch” list this weekend.

Happy Birthday Mr. President!

A statue in Plains, Georgia recognizing the former President