Girls Write Out
Friday, December 29, 2006

Here's to Quiet Integrity!
When I first heard that Gerald Ford died, I'll admit, I didn't really think much of it. But when I heard WHY he pardoned Nixon (so the nation could heal) and how he took flak from everyone in both parties, not to mention that Nixon never thanked him, I was really taken aback at how some good men are never recognized in their strength. And it can actually look weak. He swore he never made any kind of deal with Nixon or parties for the pardon and when Nixon had no gratitude for him, he simply replied, "Well, that's Nixon for you." I don't mean to liken Ford to Jesus, but I just want to say using quiet strength is something that goes woefully unappreciated here on earth. Our country was able to heal from the wounds of Watergate because Ford found the humility to forgive. Isn't that great food for thought? So here's my toast to quiet strength. Quiet integrity. Know someone like that?
Kristin  
posted at 3:14 PM  
  Comments (8)
 
 
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8 Comments:
At 9:28 PM, Blogger Jaime Wright said...

Yeah ... this post strikes a note for me. My Dad is like that too, full of integrity and quiet humility. People don't even realize what he's doing so often. The interesting thing with this post is that my Dad ran for congress when I was really young and President Ford came to a banquet in support of my Dad. I remember giving President Ford a kiss on the cheek and how TALL he was and such an imposing figure. Then he smiled at me and lifted me in his arms and held me. He was such a nice man ... at least in the eyes of a young girl. Good post, Kristin...

 
At 9:36 PM, Blogger Sabrina L. Fox said...

Kristin, I can totally relate. I didn't think too much of it when I heard either...being born in the seventies, I knew next to nothing about Ford. While I was writing an article for the local paper about his death, I found out that even Senator Edward Kennedy, who had criticized Ford at the time, called the pardon "an extaordinary act of courage that historians recognize was truly in the national interest." I, too, found myself impressed.

Jaime, what a cool memory and neat story to pass on to your children.

 
At 7:19 AM, Blogger Pam Sanderlin said...

You're right. The tributes to Ford have been quite impressive. Thank goodness there are still people around who are more concerned about what is best for the situation than what is best for themselves. That's very encouraging. :0)

My quiet, sincere husband is also like Ford. He too is a man of integrity, who helps people whether they're thankful or not. Few people seem to notice because he doesn't call attention to himself. I feel fortunate to know him (my husband).

 
At 10:54 AM, Blogger Jenny said...

Kristin,
I was graduated from HS in 1974 and that summer is when the world seemed to change. Mr. Ford was the first person I ever voted for for president. In college I watched the Ford/Carter debates with my other theatre friends in the lobby between rehearsals. I thought of Mr. Ford as a man of integrity then and still do today. The only difference is, I have a better grasp of what integrity means now than I did back then. I've also got the feeling that understanding is suddenly blooming in a lot more minds since we lost this great man.
Wonderful post.
Abundant blessings,
Jenny Cary

 
At 11:13 AM, Blogger Kristin said...

Wow, what great stories you all shared. It's great food for thought since you never really know what history will remember, huh? I think he was one man who didn't seek out the power and is that even possible today?

 
At 4:39 PM, Blogger Rachel Hauck said...

I agree Kristin. Ford was never appreciated for his integrity and strength. He got stuck with the Nixon aftermath.

I know a lot of people like him. Mostly, my husband. He's very much a quiet strength person. And my dad. When they are around, you feel like everything is going to be all right.

Rachel

 
At 6:12 PM, Blogger Kristin said...

It really is so great to hear how many know these men in real life, because I don't think they get the recognition they deserve! We think of tough guys as Schwartzenneger, who I bet broke his legs from brittle bones from steroids. But of course, that's just my opinion. LOL

 
At 1:15 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

So I am a little late in commenting on this but I just had too. I live in Grand Rapids, in fact I live less than a mile from where the funeral took place. All that aside it has been amazing to watch the grace the Ford family showed during this extremly difficult time. Those "boys" never left their mother side. They were shaking hands with the thousands that showed up to pay respect to their beloved dad. They seem like such unassuming, real people. I suspect they got a lot of that from their dad. They truely reflectd the faith they spoke about during the funeral. We could all learn from them.

 

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The Authors
Kristin Billerbeck
Kristin Billerbeck is a proud Californian, wife, mother of four, and connoisseur of the irrelevant. She writes Christian Chick Lit; where she finds need for most of the useless facts lulling about in her head.

www.KristinBillerbeck.com

Colleen Coble

Colleen Coble writes romantic suspense with a strong atmospheric element. A lovable animal of some kind--usually a dog--always populates her novels. She can be bribed with DeBrand mocha truffles.

www.ColleenCoble.com

Denise Hunter

Denise Hunter writes women's fiction and love stories with a strong emotional element. Her husband says he provides her with all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too.

www.DeniseHunterBooks.com

Diann Hunt

Diann Hunt writes romantic comedy and humorous women's fiction. She has been happily married forever, loves her family, chocolate, her friends, chocolate, her dog, and well, chocolate.

www.DiannHunt.com

Hannah Alexander

Cheryl Hodde writes romantic medical suspense under the pen name of Hannah Alexander, using all the input she can get from her husband, Mel, for the medical expertise. For fun she hikes and reads. Out of guilt, she rescues discarded cats. She and Mel are presently taking orders from four pampered strays.

www.HannahAlexander.com

 
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