RIP Mrs. Reagan.
I'll always hold great respect for the journeys of the Carter, Reagan, Clinton and Obama families. The men who became president, in all four cases, came from relatively little or from abusive homes (Reagan and Clinton) and chased their dreams and attained them. Regardless of political policies or leanings, I will always respect these four men and their journeys. None were "born on third base".
For Nancy Reagan, I don't think anyone can deny the importance of her journey as well. From an actress to a Governor's life to a First Lady to, for the last 11 years of her husband's life, a tireless caregiver for President Reagan. A journey that was both full of glory to years of darkness from the long goodbye of Alzheimer's.
The Reagans always reminded me a lot of my late grandparents -- born in the 1910s/early 1920s -- who may have grown out of touch with their adult children, were rigid and old-fashioned but they also had a love for each other that was without cynicism and without compromise. I admire that.