Count me as one American who was thinking dark thoughts when President Carter announced some months ago that his doctors had found cancer in his brain.
There was a certain sound of resignation in the former president’s voice as he told the nation of the diagnosis, while announcing he would proceed with radiation treatment.
Then came news today. It was much better news … at a time when we Americans are looking for a glimmer of hope somewhere in light of recent events in California and the still-simmering aftermath.
President Carter told his Sunday school class he is cancer-free. The cancer is gone. The treatment worked, did its job.
This is an admirable man. He spent four years in the White House and has spent the longest post-presidential period in the nation’s history doing good work around the world. He’s been building houses for poor people; he developed the Carter Center in Atlanta; he has been monitoring elections in countries that never had free and fair elections before; he’s been speaking out on issues of the day.
I was delighted to hear this good news aboutĀ the former president’s Ā health.
Yes, he’s an old man. He’s past 90 and he’s lived a full and fabulous life. When it’s his time to leave this world, the president — a deeply devout Christian — will be ready.
I’m glad to know his time among us isn’t up just yet.