At age 98, and still writing books, teaching young Americans and championing human rights, doing philanthropic and charitable works, supporting the Habitat for Humanity in building houses for the homeless, James Earl Carter, Jr, the humble and very people-oriented peanuts farmer from Plains, Georgia has been saying he was ready to go, but he remains mobile and loves being outdoor and meeting people.
President Carter was born on October 1, 1924. He married Rosalyn Smith in 1946 and has four children, Jack, James III, Donnel and Amy. They are well-off farmers and they are very religious Christians. He became the 39th US president who followed President Gerald Ford after the tumultuous presidency of Richard Nixon. He was succeeded by a very popular Republican, Ronald Reagan. President Carter was a one-term president. But after leaving the White House, Carter never stopped in his advocacies and his social work. He won a Nobel Peace Prize, wrote dozens of books, and, listen to this: with his own hammer and tools, he built and repaired no less than 4,300 homes in 11 countries under the auspices of Habitat For Humanity.
In his nineties, he sticks to a daily physical exercise routine. He sticks to a very austere and healthy diet. He was an avid runner in marathons in his pre-presidential days. He continued to run until the age of 80. Today, he walks daily along Church Street, the main road in Plains, Georgia. He had been walking along that path since the 1920s when he was still less than ten years old. President Carter also loves to plant and to do woodwork, making chairs and other furniture. He has also a passion for wine making and loves to cook his own food. He enjoys fishing and hunting with his assistants and close friends. No wonder he lives this long. He is a happy, contented and peaceful person.
He continues to write books with his own penmanship. He does not encode his manuscript, and he reads a lot of classics and literary masterpieces. He loves to volunteer in community work and civic functions. He is always out seeking ways to help people and institutions. He is active in church activities and attends religious ceremonies regularly. He teaches in Sunday school, he interacts with children and young adults. He never isolates himself from the people in his community. He travels in many countries to see people who need help and assistance. President Carter is a very humble and simple man. He lines up and does not assert any stance of superiority. He remains a farmer by heart and simple folk in his disposition.
It should be recalled that on the second day in the White House, he pardoned all Vietnam War draft evaders. Under his leadership, America was able to broker peace between Egypt and Israel through the Camp David Peace Accords, whereby Israel returned Mount Sinai to Egypt. He also successfully negotiated the Panama Canal Treaties and SALT II or the Strategic Arms Limitations Talk. He secured the release of 109 hostages in North Korea and he travelled to 39 countries to observe and learn about electoral systems and processes. He is an amazing person who makes you feel cared for when you talk to him. He is a good painter too. In 2017, his painting "Monarchs And Milkwed sold for 525,000 US dollars and last year, his painting of crab apple blossoms sold for 750,000 dollars.
President Jimmy Carter is the longest living American president in all history since George Washington to Joe Biden. He is more hardworking than any president who ever lived. He loves life and he loves people. I think he is the most decent among all living former presidents of the USA, not just in demeanor but also in his actions and achievements. He is one fine American and a true gentleman and humane Christian. I am beginning to like him more than I like John F Kennedy.