So many goodbyes (re: Nancy Reagan)

[Aimeedyan]

As I watch all this coverage, it saddens me to think of how many goodbyes she's having to make. The average person has the intial goodbye when the person passes, then often at the funeral home, and then at the graveside. And it's usually in a matter of 2 or 3 days.

But she's had to approach his casket numerous times this week, with everyone watching, and say goodbye again and again. This funeral isnt the last, either, since they will be making the trip back to CA to bury him...

Can you imagine having your grieving process dragged out that long? It must be so hard to not have closure for so long.

Just some thoughts...

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I haven't been watching a lot this week because we are trying to cut down on TV, but I just saw her in the rotunda walk to the casket, pat it, smooth the flag a little, and she was visibly talking to her husband. Then she kissed it and walked a step away, but turned back to look again. It was very sad to see. God bless her.
Robin M.

 

[WDWLVR]

I took today off to watch. Seeing her at the casket brought tears to my eyes. A very private moment, but shared with the world. She is a very strong lady.

 

[Laz]

For the nation, and for her late husband, she is being the First Lady one more time. Thoughts and prayers to Nancy and her family.

 

[4cruisin]

Personally, for me, when my mom passed away, the hardest goodbye was at the church funeral. I literally did not think my legs would carry me out of the church behind her casket. It was a terrible feeling. I did walk down the aisle holding my sister's hand (my dh and dbil were pallbearers) but that is when it hit me the hardest. I cannot imagine saying goodbye to my husband publicly the way Nancy Reagan has, it would be too difficult for me to do. She has been so stoic not only the past few days but for the past 10 years. Theirs was a true love story. May God Bless both of them.

Nancy

 

[piglet too]

Laz, you got it right, she is taking the role of First Lady again. I have always seen her as such a strong woman, and seeing her pain makes my heart hurt.

My heart goes out to her, as well as their children, for having to do this so publicly, so many times.

 

[Pam]

Don't take this the wrong way - I feel for the Reagans, too. But ..... the family chose to have a national service - and with this comes all of the media and public scrutiny.

The Nixons chose to mourn in private.

Personally - I have instructions that when I die - there is to be no viewing or public funeral.

 

[4cruisin]

Pam,
I understand what you are saying but I think because Ronald Reagan was so important to our history, it was Nancy's way of honoring him one last time. I have been listening to different interviews during the week and not one person has had anything bad to say about him. This morning, Brian Mulroney former PM of Canada had some very kind words to say about Pres. Reagan. It was very touching.

Nancy

 

[LauraR]

I never was a fan of the Reagans when they were in office. But I admire Nancy's dignity and grace these past few days. She obviously loved her husband very much, and I'm really sorry she had to watch his decline these last few years. I do admire her strength of character and dedication to her husband.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Aimeedyan, I just sent my sister an e-mail expressing those sentiments. God bless Nancy Reagan, she's being very brave and dignified.

Bobbi

 

[snoopy]

I can't imagine it, but I'm not a former First Lady. She's amazing, Nancy. I laughed at her and her "Just Say No" campaign, but I've come to have enormous respect for her. She is someone with a lot of dignity and grace.

 

[Tuffcookie]

As difficult as this week has been for Nancy, I think the public's reaction to President Reagan's death has probably been an immense source of consolation to her.

TC

 

[Dan Murphy]

Originally posted by Laz
For the nation, and for her late husband, she is being the First Lady one more time. Thoughts and prayers to Nancy and her family.

So well said, Laz, so correct.

 

[Laura]

I do really feel for Nancy Reagan, having to mourn so publicly. I know it must be hard for her.

 

[Princess Dot]

I was thinking the same thing about how difficult it must be for her to go through this whole thing for almost a week.

Just as a side note, I don't think the Nixon family "chose" to mourn in private. If I heard correctly, I don't think the full ceremonial funeral and viewing in the Capitol etc was offered to them due to the circumstances under which he left office. Again, I do not have first hand knowledge of this, but I did hear it discussed on the radio some time this week. Obviously, I could be wrong.

However, I suppose the Reagan family could have refused the public cermonies and all, but I think they probably felt that the a majority of the public would want a chance to pay respects to the late President.

 

[Galahad]

If I heard correctly, I don't think the full ceremonial funeral and viewing in the Capitol etc was offered to them due to the circumstances under which he left office.

I had heard just the opposite....that ALL presidents are entitled to a state funeral,etc. and that the Nixon family chose not to do that. Pat had preceded him in death if I remember right.

 

[piglet too]

I also thought I heard them say that when you go into office as President, it is required for you to have somewhat of a plan all made up. What I heard made it sound like you do not have much choice in how the services are carried out, as far as the publicness of them go. I too think Nixon may not have been accorded the same ceromonial services due to his circumstances.

 

[Galahad]

Fron an AP Story from 6/7/2004:

Former President Lyndon Baines Johnson, in 1973, was the last ex-president to have had an official Washington ceremony. Former President Nixon's family, acting on his wishes, opted out of the Washington traditions when he died in 1994.
In addition to presidents, anyone chosen by a president can be accorded a state funeral.

 

[Tinkbell]

Nancy obviously is a very strong woman. Her love for her husband always shone through, more than any other first lady in my lifetime (I'm 34). God bless her.

 

[Princess Dot]

"It has been a point of some confusion this week, but officials with the Military District of Washington and the Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace in California said Nixon did receive a state funeral in 1994. At the family’s request, however, the ceremonies were held in the former president’s hometown of Yorba Linda, Calif., not in Washington." From MSN

Ok, I was wrong! I was just repeating what I heard on the radio, not always a good idea!