By Alex Garrett (1–11-25)
Watching the funeral for President Jimmy Carter and seeing all five living Presidents of the United States , I was reminded of 25 years ago .
25 years ago this May, many of these same dignitaries mourned Cardinal O’Connor during the Cardinal’s funeral at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on May 8, 2000.
Just like the Cardinal, Jimmy Carter was a man strong in his FAITH. He had taught Sunday School in Plains, Georgia for many years and my mom even got to deliver the opening prayer at President Carter’s church in 1999! Carter would also be seen at revivals with Billy Graham and later in life, Franklin Graham.
Much like the Cardinal, President Carter spent his life post-Presidency dedicating his time and energy to giving back to the community. For the Cardinal, he’d always be out there on the steps of the Cathedral for every NYC parade as well as visiting the Little Sisters of the Poor in the Bronx. Those kind of efforts specifically when the Cardinal would be in the Bronx, reminds me of the outreach President Carter would do through Habitat for Humanity.
Also, look at the hard work Jimmy Carter and wife Rosalynn did through the Carter Center. I love when Jimmy Carter’s son, Chip noted how his parents “changed the world”. There is no doubt President Carter has had the most impactful post-Presidency of any of the former Presidents to date. I also find it remarkable Carter oversaw 7 more Presidencies and advised each of them after he served his only term in the Oval Office!
They both also impacted my life. In addition to President Carter’s kindness to my mom, my dad told the story of how President Carter was looking for me at a Barnes and Noble bookstore after signing his children’s book for me. Sure enough , they found us and I had my picture taken with Jimmy Carter when I was about five years old! Cardinal O’Connor always welcomed us to St. Patrick’s Cathedral with open arms and Christmas of 1998 , he told me to pray for him and gave me his Rosary.
When he passed 25 years ago , my dad and I had the opportunity to be at the funeral , attended by then-President Bill Clinton and then-First Lady Hilary Clinton. It truly was a Cathedral filled with politicians and also with love that day as we all paid respects to the Cardinal.
Of course, the Carter funeral also reminded me of meeting President Clinton and Hilary at the Cardinal’s funeral and just was a reminder of how time is moving fast and how quickly 25 years has gone.
Tiny Rituals notes that the Angel number of 25 notes personal growth. Perhaps President Carter being remembered in 2025 will help grow America UP and be united ! (https://tinyrituals.co/blogs/tiny-rituals/angel-number-25-meaning#:~:text=The%20spiritual%20meaning%20of%20angel,when%20it%20comes%20your%20way.)
I know Cardinal O’Connor, my dad , Rickey Henderson and now President Carter are teaming up as guardian angels and guiding myself and all of us in spirit. I just hope my dad and President Carter take that picture up above , as I write with a smile !
OneLegUpAlex 