Miscellaneous

When I was 19 I signed up for a Habitat for Humanity trip to Costa Rica to build 7 homes in a jungle community. When I arrived I was shocked to find Jimmy Carter and his wife Roselyn on the 18 member work crew! We spent 3 weeks on this project and were fed and housed by the local community, who were generous and wonderful, but had only simple resources to offer. The Carters accepted the same accommodations. They worked as hard as everyone else, they were gracious and funny and down to earth, they got dusty and sweaty, they bled. I had heard they were active on the board of this organization, but I had no idea they volunteered their time at the civilian level. It was all about the project to them, and beyond his notable listening skills and ability to communicate well with anyone, you would never have known he was a former President. His private life was committed to service, it was clearly what he loved to do...but very, very quietly. I still admire that kind of grace. They were very cool.

A far cry from the monkey who runs our circus today.