Lessons from My Father, Jimmy Carter: The Joy of Never Retiring

Inspired by the tireless spirit of my late father, former President Jimmy Carter, I've embraced the philosophy of perpetual activity even at 75. He would chuckle at the mere suggestion of aging, having only gradually softened his pace at 94, and remained active until his passing at 100 last December.

This year, I am steering the 39th Annual Habitat for Humanity Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project in his memory. As the event kicked off, emotions ran high with tears marking this initial project since his absence. Yet, alongside the tears, there's immense happiness. At the build site, my wife's inquiry about my beaming face led me to say, "Because it feels like being home."

The Value of Community: A Legacy from Both Parents

My folks held a deep-rooted belief that housing is a fundamental human right. Our family experienced this firsthand when we lived in public housing during my early years. They championed community initiatives, which is why Habitat's efforts extend beyond constructing homes. In this year's project, 25 homes are set to rise, embodying the spirit of building whole neighborhoods.

Among the thousand volunteers here, many are peers—all seeking to expand affordable housing in their senior years. My daughter Margaret and her spouse are also contributing, a sight my parents would have cherished, witnessing their grandchildren uphold family traditions. For my parents, volunteering was always a chance to engage in dialogues about life, rather than divisive topics.

Bonding Through Caretaking: Discovering Friendship with My Parents

In the Carter home, chores were a family affair with my dad rewarding us a cent per year of our age—a practice that taught us the value of work early on. As I reached 10 years old, I earned 10 cents an hour, though that seemed monumental compared to my brother's 8 cents. When Dad finally increased it to $1.25, it was a windfall, considering what one could purchase for mere dimes back then.

Dining conversations at our home often turned into debates, with my dad always taking the counterpoint. While he didn't necessarily believe in those stances, he argued convincingly to stretch our thinking—a practice lasting decades.

Although presidency kept him busy, he found ways to relax when home, free from schedules. In the last six years, I was fortunate to care for both my parents until they passed—first mom in 2023, then dad. Through this, a deeper friendship blossomed, filled with laughter and meaningful chat. To this day, they remain my heroes.

The Renewing Spirit of Giving Back

In Habitat projects, Dad envisioned more than homes being built. It was about fostering community involvement among new homeowners—a priceless aspect of Habitat. This exchange not only provides a house but enriches volunteers’ lives, offering a time dedicated to others.

Post-build, the fulfillment I experience is unrivaled, drawing strength from continuing the legacy my parents cherished. I urge more to participate, be it with Habitat or other local initiatives. It fills me with anticipation for many more years of giving back.