Today is a sad day with the passing of former president, Jimmy Carter. I want to tell a brief story about when I met President Carter. It shows what a great man of grace he was.

He was guest speaking where I lived in early 1988. We arrived early, and the organizers asked if I had a question for the former President. I said sure.

They picked six of us, with me queued up to ask the first question. After he presented, I was told to go up to the microphone and ask my question.

I said, “Hello President Carter. I really do not have a question.”

He said “I like those kind of questions.”

I then said, “I want to thank you for all the work you do for Habitat for Humanity. You continue to give back and help our country even after your presidency has ended.”

He then thanked me, and spent about 5-10 minutes talking about Habitat for Humanity. The remainder of the folks in the queue ask questions like “why didn’t you…” or “what should be done about…”

I then sat down. I was in the first row, vertical from the stage. After he was done, he was leaving and was started to walk past me. He stopped for a second, waved and winked at me, and mouthed, “thank you.”

RIP, Mr. President. American will miss your grace, kindness, and love of country.