Nancy Reagan died recently at age 94 and for a brief moment, the media world celebrated the enduring love between a long-married couple.
I never considered myself a fan, particularly. But it always touched my heart that those two seemed genuinely in love--and let it show.
When she died I expected the usual recitations of her life as First Lady of both the U. S. and the state of California.
That's why the comments of celebrities and media people blew me away. It seemed every reporter and commentator praised Nancy Reagan, the wife.
How often do they honor any woman, dead or alive, simply because she was her husband's wife and did everything she could to help him?
It was almost Biblical. Remember Genesis 2:18?
Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him. (ESV)
By all accounts, Nancy was a helper "fit" for Ronald Reagan
Clearly, they were the light of each other's life. It showed every time they gazed at each other with "that look"--which was most of the time.
Once "that look" was ridiculed--and so was she.
Obviously, neither of them cared. They simply went on holding hands and smiling.
I'm old enough to remember when the press and Hollywood stars maligned Nancy Reagan for that look. Feminists called her a total blank because she defined her identity as "Ronnie's wife."
Many faulted her for not being a better role-model for young women. Some even called her a disgrace to women everywhere.
Those who thought more deeply said, "Feminism is all about women having choices, isn't it? Well, Nancy Reagan made her own choices and lived by them. What's to criticize?"
After she died, only praise
Morning TV shows, Internet news items and newspapers all over the USA reported on their lifelong love affair. They spoke of Nancy Reagan, the wife, who loved her husband and honored him all the days of her life.
Even after her "Ronnie" no longer wrote her frequent love notes or spoke his adoration because Alzheimer's stole the memories they once shared.
Even after he died in 2004 and moved on.
Several who spoke recalled her saying she never stopped missing him. Never stopped wanting to tell him something she'd just read--and then she would remember he wasn't there.
Family members and other speakers noted that now these two are together again--in Heaven.
Because Nancy Reagan was the widow of a President, her memorial service was telecast
She planned every detail of that service, which honored the love between this couple. What's more, it witnessed to the beauty and strength of believing in God.
Several sections of the Bible were read, including 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
At first it seemed surprising that Proverbs 31:10-31 was read, but no. That day it seemed to me that Nancy Reagan, like so many of us wives, wanted the world to know this is how she tried to live:
An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life. . . .
Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her . . .
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
--Proverbs 31:10-12; 28;30 (ESV)
Because of who she was, Nancy Reagan's memorial drew a huge audience
Televised clips were used on newscasts, here and abroad. Articles were written in publications around the world.
It was plain to see that many reporters, as well as the rich and the famous who attended, were moved by the service. Who knows how many watchers gained some new views on marriage and on faith?
To me, that memorial service was Nancy Reagan's most lasting legacy.
You may have been a fan or thought her a fool. Either way, I think we can all agree she made the most of her last moment of fame. That day countless people heard the Truth of Jesus and glimpsed the beauty in the love that builds a lasting marriage
And that's quite a lot for one lifetime.
Lovingly,
Lenore
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