Yep, I know she’s not gone on yond, her hubby has. But, this might be the best time to remember her best, too. When she goes on yond, it will be a footnote news note.
I watched the whole state funeral for Gerald Ford on delayed PBS. Very much because I wanted to better understand the connection between the current powers that be and that old Watergate era. I was a wee lass then in the 70’s, and didn’t understand it at all, yet, was upset, disenchanted at pre-teen and wanted to have some decent hope… I don’t remember Gerald Ford at that time from my child mind, but I Do remember Betty Ford. She was a strong woman, big smile, and spoke out. A woman to look up to.
Now, in hindsight, I know what she spoke out about. Breast cancer was a hush hush, but she spoke out about it. Getting to the point of dependency on alcohol and pills, so, hushed, but she owned up to it, and made it decent to go and get help.
Pretty damn amazing, to give your name to an agency to get help for a widespread problem, embarrassing in nature, and help people get beyond that.
During the state funeral, the cameras cut often to Betty Ford, now small in body stature, wizened, not at all the broad beaming exhuberant woman I remember. But, the cameras cut close, and here was a woman who did as much as her husband in service to this country.
I’d be glad for anyone else to add their observations of Betty Ford here. I’m way on left of Ford’s politics, but always admired Betty, at 16, and still.
