Remembering President Jimmy Carter

It's taken me some time to speak on the passing of President Jimmy Carter.

I’ve wrestled with how to put into words what he meant to me—not as a president or a public figure, but as a human being who inspired countless others, myself included. Writing this has been more difficult than I expected because it’s not easy to say goodbye to someone who felt like the moral compass of a generation.

President Carter was more than a leader; he was a good man. In a world that so often prizes power and prestige, he showed us the strength of humility and the courage of conviction. He wasn’t afraid to take the harder path if it was the right one. Whether it was brokering peace in the Middle East, fighting for human rights around the world, or reminding us to care for this planet, he always led with a moral clarity that was deeply rare.

But it wasn’t just what he did as president—it was who he was as a person. Even after leaving the White House, he dedicated his life to serving others. He didn’t just talk about faith; he lived it. Building homes, fighting disease, standing up for the forgotten—he spent his life lifting others up. It’s hard not to feel a little in awe of someone who kept going, not for applause or recognition, but because he believed it was simply the right thing to do.

What struck me most about him was his kindness. It wasn’t performative or strategic. It was genuine. He had this quiet way of making people feel seen, even if he’d never met them. I’ve felt that through his example—how he treated everyone with dignity, how he believed in the power of good to outlast evil, how he showed us that hope is an action, not just a feeling.

There are some who try to reduce his legacy to a handful of political moments. I think that misses the point entirely. His legacy wasn’t just what he accomplished, though there was plenty of that. It was the way he reminded us of our better selves. He believed in us, even when we didn’t believe in ourselves.

So, as I try to say goodbye to someone who meant so much, I want to say this: Thank you, President Carter. Thank you for showing us what it means to lead with integrity and love. Thank you for proving that kindness is not weakness. Thank you for reminding us that service to others is the highest calling.

You’ve left this world better than you found it, and that’s the most anyone could ever hope for. Rest well, Mr. President. Your light will keep shining in all the lives you touched.