Mr. President

Former President Ronald Reagan died last Saturday after suffering from Alzheimer's disease for almost ten years. When the news struck, I have to admit to being a little saddened.

But why? I'm not a Republican. I know for sure as hell that I'm not rich. Nor am I white [or Euro-American for you PC peeps.] But something about his passing strikes me because he was the first 'PRESIDENT' that I ever knew. Just like I appreciate the 49ers first two Super Bowl wins but it wasn't until Super Bowl XXIII that I really enjoyed it and that was because I actually followed that team through the whole season.

I remember Jimmy Carter's concession speech, or some speech right after he lost the 1980 election. I asked my mom, "Mommy, is that President Carter?" And she said, "Yes baby, but he is not going to be president anymore. That other man won." And I said, "Oh." And that was about it for Carter.

But I remember when I was in kindergarten, and my teacher would say, "What day is it?" And we'd respond, "MONDAY!!" And she'd say, "What year is it?" And we'd say, "1981!" And then she'd say, "And who's our President?" And we'd yell, "Ronald Reagan." And feel good about ourselves because we go the answer right!

I didn't know what the whole Grenada thing was about, nor Lebanon. I just knew that war was bad. And then I faintly recall him laying off all the Air Traffic Controllers when they went on strike. I mean, not even negotiating, he just threw a press conference and said, "YOU'RE FIRED!" I was too young to understand about the Iran-Contra deal and Ollie North [which BTW was headed by Senator Daniel Inouye from Hawaii].

I know that my parents voted Carter and also Mondale, despite the fact that they both were going to lose by a landslide. I didn't know why my parents couldn't stand Reagan because I thought, "He's the president. We have to like him."

Now that I'm older I see the legacy he left behind, and also see how little America has changed. And then Bush came in, and ultimately [despite an 8 year refreshing break thanks to Clinton] Bush's son. I would never in my life vote for Reagan, nor probably most of the things he stood for.

Yet, I still feel sad with his passing because it helps me remember the days when I was young and carefree. When the only thing that mattered is what make believe game we were going to play at recess, or that my mom was able to wash my brown vest in time for school. Where ABCs were not yet part of our mental rolodex and most of my grandparents were still alive. I'd hate for my early life to defined by the term of a president, but it's easy for me to remember what I was doing during those years.

R.I.P. to those memories. They will always be a happy part of my life.

Makin Mine Music
~No Tations~