Rick Michel's Blog

Capturing valuable memories is something I definitely recommend; it gives opportunity to veritably relive a moment that was special to you.  The memory is ever-present, but the photograph, whether physical or digital, triggers the emotions surrounding the event – it’s like time travel, a way to do it all again.  This is what happened when I came across a very special shot of me with President Jimmy Carter.

Carter’s been in the news a lot of late because of his diagnosis of cancer, but it’s more about the exceptional human being he’s shown us to be than the tragedy of the disease.  Cancer is scary – the ultimate C-word – making everything serious and grounding you in a way nothing else can.  Yet we saw Carter, now 91 years old and sometimes having to endure the most awful of all words in his articles – “terminal,” doing things like building houses with Habitat for Humanity and giving speeches.  He is showing the world just what a real leader – a great American – is made of.

We all deal with adversity in our own style and there’s no right or wrong way – no judgement.  I read somewhere that Leonardo da Vinci once said, “I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection.”  My advice: No matter what, keep smiling, baby!