DaJudge
04-02-2001, 03:51 PM
After many years of illness, Ronald Reagan was very ill and it appeared that
he might not pull through. Obviously, Nancy and the rest of the family were
at his side, as well as the family minister. Knowing that his time might be
short, they asked if there was anything that he wanted.
"Yes," he replied, "I'd like very much to have Bill and Hillary Clinton at
my side before I go."
They were all amazed at this request and several assumed that his memory was
failing even worse than they had suspected. Regardless, they went ahead and
forwarded his request to the former first family.
Within hours, the former president and first lady arrived at his bedside,
courtesy of the loan of Air Force One. For a time, no one said anything.
Both Bill and Hillary were touched and flattered that Ron would ask them to
be with him during his final moments. They were also puzzled - obviously
they were of different political parties and had thrown barbs in one
another's direction over the years. Why not George Bush Sr., G.W. Bush or
some of Reagan's many Hollywood friends? He had never given the Clintons any
indication that he particularly liked either of them.
Finally, Bill spoke up and asked, "Mr. President, why did you choose the
two of us to be at your bedside at this critical moment?"
The former president mustered up some strength and said very weakly, "Jesus
died between two thieves ... and that's how I want to go."
he might not pull through. Obviously, Nancy and the rest of the family were
at his side, as well as the family minister. Knowing that his time might be
short, they asked if there was anything that he wanted.
"Yes," he replied, "I'd like very much to have Bill and Hillary Clinton at
my side before I go."
They were all amazed at this request and several assumed that his memory was
failing even worse than they had suspected. Regardless, they went ahead and
forwarded his request to the former first family.
Within hours, the former president and first lady arrived at his bedside,
courtesy of the loan of Air Force One. For a time, no one said anything.
Both Bill and Hillary were touched and flattered that Ron would ask them to
be with him during his final moments. They were also puzzled - obviously
they were of different political parties and had thrown barbs in one
another's direction over the years. Why not George Bush Sr., G.W. Bush or
some of Reagan's many Hollywood friends? He had never given the Clintons any
indication that he particularly liked either of them.
Finally, Bill spoke up and asked, "Mr. President, why did you choose the
two of us to be at your bedside at this critical moment?"
The former president mustered up some strength and said very weakly, "Jesus
died between two thieves ... and that's how I want to go."