I spent the last week on vacation, so now I'm trying to catch up with the world again. I must also work through the piles on my desk, so it'll take me a couple of days to get back into this page.
It was a short, happy, but strange trip. Highlights include 1) the look of joy on my son's face when 9,000 pounds of Shamu launched his body out of the water at Sea World, 2) seeing a submarine plow through San Diego Harbor on its way to sea, 3) climbing a ladder to the top of a 150-year-old lighthouse in Point Loma, 4) seeing my extended California family, 5) wandering around the Reagan Library and Museum in Simi Valley.
About that last thing. I'd never been to a presidential library before, so I expected a certain amount of bombast. What I got was completely unexpected - the place was so amazingly honest. Iran Contra got coverage with "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall." There was a full and affectionate acknowledgement of his movie career, and a wild variety of mementos of his journey through politics: like his cabinet room chair, a model of his Star Wars defense satellite, and the bulletproof vest and red "Mr. Rogers" cardigan he wore after the assassination attempt. Nancy got some good floor and exhibit space, and a lovely portion was devoted to their life at the Santa Barbara ranch.
Chilling and sad, though, were the letter he wrote announcing his Alzheimer's, and the many pieces central to the memorials: the catafalque where his coffin lay, the boots that were placed backwards in the stirrups, the bugle that played "Taps" over his coffin, and photos of the services everywhere.
And outside, in front of the curved wall where we said our last goodbyes, is a very simple stone with only this: Ronald Wilson Reagan 1911 - 2004. There's room on that stone for Nancy when she joins him.
I'm very glad I went.
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