Sunday Mornings.......Pictures are Worth a Thousand Words

When Ronald Reagan was President of the United States, I was a lot younger than I am now.  I didn't pay much attention to American politics. That all changed once he left office.

It turns out each President has their own photographer which follows them everywhere.  It is like low tech Big Brother.  I am sure it starts off being awkward, but, as time goes on, the President forgets the photographer is even there.

Anyway, when the President leaves office, the official photographer goes on a Sunday morning show to share their favorite pictures.  For the last four decades, I have looked forward to this.  Truly, a picture is worth a thousand words. 

I have learned much about the out-going Presidents by looking at these pictures.  Quiet moments.  Loud moments.  Moments when it looks like the President is holding the weight of the world on his shoulders.  Moments of silliness.  Moments of pure joy. 

What I enjoy looking at is the complete depth of emotion.  Even when the President appears to be unemotional to the public, in private, there is no holding back.  It is like taking a crash course in human emotion. 

I don't think people realize what President Trump has taken away from all of us.  A departure of common sense.  He has taken away respectful discussions.  He has taken away shades of grey.  He has taken away our ability to disagree with each other and still being cordial.  And on. And on. 

Now, he has taken away my Sunday morning experience after the President leaves office experience.  I have seen lots of pictures of Trump so I don't feel I need to see more.  However, more than that, in the pictures I have seen of him, I have failed to see depth.  Like him, his pictures show him as black and white.  It seems he is only capable of two basic emotions. 

That is another reason why I can stare at pictures of my grandson for hours.  His pictures truly are worth a thousand words.  And, his pictures show something that a picture of Trump will never show.  Hope. 


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