When Chinese Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping was shaking President Carter’s hand in Washington, D.C., in January 1979, my family and I were on a plane to China. We were among the first 100 Americans to live in the country in 30 years.
What a beautiful, heartwarming telling of your history. It also solidifies what I have believed about former President Jimmy Carter's character. He was a good man. Thank you, Amanda.
My dad always said he’s the best president we ever had bc he puts the country before himself. And he truly cares about people and making the world a better place. Your family’s story reinforces everything my dad told me. I’m so glad to hear it, but sad for our loss. He deserves to be celebrated. Thank you so much for telling this story.
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful story about your mom and Carter. I was one of the students in Changsha your mom taught.Former president Carter not only changed your life but also lives of millions of Chinese people including mine.
Thank you Amanda. Wish your mom well and all the best! I forwarded your story to all your mom’s students. They all enjoyed reading it. It refreshed a lot of good memories!
Hi Charles, It was so nice to see your comment here. I'm so glad you shared that Carter influenced millions of Chinese lives. The contributions of Jimmy Carter are exponential.
Beautiful tale, Amanda, and well told. I wish I'd seen it before publishing so I could have linked to it.
It is really heartening to be talking about Carter and his legacy in the run-up to the new administration. The flags at half-mast tell more than one story.
What a beautiful story .. in keeping with all your work, it exudes hope that real people of character and their personal work and connections are the essence of our shared history and our way forward as a common humanity in and of this world, despite all the forces attempting to delude, divide, fragment, and fracture. Sincere thanks for sharing this, Amanda.
Dear Amanda - Earthhope! I am so grateful for your amazing, + wide + so critical coverage of “nature + the world + your concern”. And your “Hope”, too.
And I was deeply touched by your family story. And how it touched your life , also!! And still continues till The ily . . . but about Brasilia. And also with *Headstart + Follow-Through* Early-Education programs in California + Arizona (+ elsewhere in the U.S. that my father + I also helped bring to both native communities here + among peoples of different cultures + languages, both for older + new arrivals. And I have also been deeply touched by these kinds of interactions in the world. They help foster *Hope* + grow Support. And . . often Action!! And thank you for never stopping, Amanda!!! As I try to continue doing so also!! I was one of the first woman park rangers in the U.S. fifty years ago. (And possibly, the U.S. was one of the very first countries to do so. And it was not an “easy road” at that time either, but so very critical + in furthering social justice + education + compassion. Susan-Marie
Beautiful insight into Jimmy Carter as a human being and into the deep commitment your mother has to teaching. Your connection with Carter and with a China that welcomed people such as your family is so interesting. Thank you for sharing this story as we mourn the loss of a truly great man.
Love everything about this newsletter. Thanks for sharing the rare autobiographical glimpse! I lived in Taiwan in 72-73 as an American dependant. Are you familiar with Grass Mountain from your time there?
So glad to hear this, Kat. I don't recall Grass Mountain, but I spent a lot of time at Yangmingshan. I moved closer to it so I could jog in it every day.
What a beautiful, heartwarming telling of your history. It also solidifies what I have believed about former President Jimmy Carter's character. He was a good man. Thank you, Amanda.
Thank you, rena
My dad always said he’s the best president we ever had bc he puts the country before himself. And he truly cares about people and making the world a better place. Your family’s story reinforces everything my dad told me. I’m so glad to hear it, but sad for our loss. He deserves to be celebrated. Thank you so much for telling this story.
Thank you, Lyns
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful story about your mom and Carter. I was one of the students in Changsha your mom taught.Former president Carter not only changed your life but also lives of millions of Chinese people including mine.
Hello, Class Leader. Nice to see you here. Mom sends her love.
Thank you Amanda. Wish your mom well and all the best! I forwarded your story to all your mom’s students. They all enjoyed reading it. It refreshed a lot of good memories!
Hi Charles, It was so nice to see your comment here. I'm so glad you shared that Carter influenced millions of Chinese lives. The contributions of Jimmy Carter are exponential.
Mariana, good to hear from you here! Jimmy Carter even changed the life of China for many years! And you are the pioneer!
Thank you for your kind comment. It was my joy and privilege.
A beautiful share into your life that gives a shine to Jimmy Carter, your mother, and self as a celebration towards forward thinking.
Thank you, Stacy
A lovely post, I've always admired Jimmy Carter. I love that photo of you and your sister with your Chinese friend, it looks so spontaneous and fun!
Thank you, Juliet
Beautiful tale, Amanda, and well told. I wish I'd seen it before publishing so I could have linked to it.
It is really heartening to be talking about Carter and his legacy in the run-up to the new administration. The flags at half-mast tell more than one story.
Thank you, Jason
Thanks for sharing your marvelous memories and the time president Carter lent a hand to your mother.
Thank you, Paul
Lovely story, says a lot about Carter. And your family.
Thank you, Tom
What a beautiful story .. in keeping with all your work, it exudes hope that real people of character and their personal work and connections are the essence of our shared history and our way forward as a common humanity in and of this world, despite all the forces attempting to delude, divide, fragment, and fracture. Sincere thanks for sharing this, Amanda.
Thank you, Doug
Thank you for highlighting the important role that administrations play in our daily lives.
Thank you, Michelle
Wow, I love this story and learning this about you, your mom and Carter!
Thank you, Jordan
A beautiful tribute. Greetings to your Mom - and you!
Thanks for your comment, and greetings returned.
Thank you, Jeanne
Dear Amanda - Earthhope! I am so grateful for your amazing, + wide + so critical coverage of “nature + the world + your concern”. And your “Hope”, too.
And I was deeply touched by your family story. And how it touched your life , also!! And still continues till The ily . . . but about Brasilia. And also with *Headstart + Follow-Through* Early-Education programs in California + Arizona (+ elsewhere in the U.S. that my father + I also helped bring to both native communities here + among peoples of different cultures + languages, both for older + new arrivals. And I have also been deeply touched by these kinds of interactions in the world. They help foster *Hope* + grow Support. And . . often Action!! And thank you for never stopping, Amanda!!! As I try to continue doing so also!! I was one of the first woman park rangers in the U.S. fifty years ago. (And possibly, the U.S. was one of the very first countries to do so. And it was not an “easy road” at that time either, but so very critical + in furthering social justice + education + compassion. Susan-Marie
Thank you, Susan-Marie
Thank you, Amanda, for all You do “With + For Us + Nature + the World”! I so enjoy + support you + your work!
Beautiful insight into Jimmy Carter as a human being and into the deep commitment your mother has to teaching. Your connection with Carter and with a China that welcomed people such as your family is so interesting. Thank you for sharing this story as we mourn the loss of a truly great man.
Thank you, Julie
This is such a great story. Thanks for sharing it. Now I know where the hope comes from.
On a personal note, there is Parkinson’s in my family also. My Dad had it. And my late wife had a related neurological disease.
Please keep the good news coming. 😊
Thank you, Andy. I will. There's not enough space to share it all, in fact.
Love everything about this newsletter. Thanks for sharing the rare autobiographical glimpse! I lived in Taiwan in 72-73 as an American dependant. Are you familiar with Grass Mountain from your time there?
So glad to hear this, Kat. I don't recall Grass Mountain, but I spent a lot of time at Yangmingshan. I moved closer to it so I could jog in it every day.
I looked the park up on the map and it looks near to the now-vague area of "Grass Mountain." It looks beautiful.