Meeting Is Such Sweet Sorrow/Cause Someday We May Have to Part

Last night I had the opportunity to hear Michael Reagan speak at a benefit dinner for Windcrest Alzheimer Center. Before you start wondering if I have hit it rich and was able to pay to go to the event, do not be deceived. Through convoluted channels, I was able to go with Tyler Cosgrove and sit at a table paid for by Bill Stevens of Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.

Michael is the eldest son of former President Ronald Reagan. Michael was actually adopted by President Reagan and Jane Wyman before their divorce, and led an interesting life growing up in Hollywood. He told many anecdotes about growing up as the son of a movie star, governor, and eventual President. The most touching ones however, were the stories of life with his father after the Alzheimer's diagnosis. He said that towards the end of his father's life, the President could not even say his son's name, but he recognized him as the young man who hugged him hello, told him he loved him, and hugged him goodbye when it was time to leave.

One day as he was leaving the Reagan's home at Rancho Del Cielo, his wife stopped him before he could pull the car away. She told him to look back at the door of the house. He looked back and saw his father standing and waiting with open arms. Michael had forgotten to hug him goodbye, and his father had followed him to the door, and simply stood waiting for his son.

After reading Dutch, a biography of President Reagan by Edmund Morris, I was able to gain a greater grasp on the man that President Reagan was, and hearing his son speak last night only increases the level of respect that I have for our former President.