This appropriate article by international
columnist, author, speaker and Assyrian Christian, Ken Joseph, Jr. looks
at the ending of two starkly different public lives. Jeff Beacham)
End Well — a Commentary on the Deaths of a
President and a Dictator
Ken Joseph, Jr. (Jan 2, 2007)
"A Tale of Two Presidents" was the way it went through my mind as I
stood watching the procession of President Gerald R. Ford wind its way
into the Capitol Building. Amazingly, there were 97 vehicles in all!
The spontaneous gathering of people was quiet, respectful and patient, as
the hearse finally came by. I, along with all the people, had never met
President Ford, but the quiet conversations as we stood in the cold
waiting for the procession said it all. When I suddenly sneezed, even
the grim-faced police officer guarding the route smiled and said a big
"God bless you."
Then, there was the other President. Hated in life, one could hear the
taunts as he was taken up to the gallows to be hanged. My own family,
Assyrian Christians, along with millions of other Iraqis, suffered his
torture and live to this day with the memories of the over one million
people he killed. Saddam Hussein died the way he had lived — violently
and alone.
Two
presidents — a continent apart. The contrast could not have been
greater.
The New Year brings a chance to start again, to go back to the "starting
block." As I pondered the "Tale of Two Presidents" and listened to the
contrasting eulogies, the reminder was stark. Imagine the sadness of
living your whole life, only to be taunted at your death and buried in
silence, with nobody's regret. Imagine the joy of ending your lif
e
surrounded by those you love and the love of those you didn't even
know, in an eternity planned.
Life is full of choices. Nobody forced Saddam Hussein to live a life of
terror, blood and hate. Nobody forced Gerald R. Ford to live a life of
quiet public service, kindness and care. As the New Year begins, it is a
time to make good choices, change those that may have been made wrongly,
adjust those that you can, and remember that what counts is not what
you accomplish, but how you live.
My father always said to me "Few people 'end well' — strive to end
well." What a challenge for the New Year! Live your life, make the
decisions that you make, and plan for only one thing — to "end well."
Gerald R. Ford "ended well." Saddam Hussein did not. "End well" by
living well, and you will hear those special words, "Well done, My
servant."
#
