The Moment Has Made The Man

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The Moment Has Made The Man

[President Bush]

In each of our lives, there comes a testing, a stretching
of bones to almost breaking, when the decision is made to
run to or from.

Our President has faced that moment. I know it because
I've seen his eyes.

Before September 11, I guessed that George W. Bush
was a good man. But it was hard to tell because I could
never look directly into his eyes. Whenever
I'd see him on television, he'd be looking slightly
off-center, with a slight squint, as if lacking some
necessary confidence.

And, it's hard to know someone's heart if you
can't see their eyes.

But, then September 11 came. And soon afterwards, I
saw President Bush transform. It first happened when a
member of the press asked him on television to describe
what he was feeling. Though near tears, he looked up,
directly into the eyes of the interviewer,
and said that our country, though suffering,
would remain strong. He had
found his purpose.

Then, later, when President Bush gave his State of the
Union address, his transformation deepened. His eyes met
ours. His voice carried commitment for nothing less than
freedom. The moment had found him.

As it has found us. With the television scrolling
words of white powdered envelopes,
our transformation awaits.

Now, we choose. Do we run to or from?
Well, I know that I'm ready.
And, if I were a betting man, I'd say that you'll never
give up either.
Then again, I should know.
After all, I've seen your heart. Right there in your eyes.

By Jim Warda (c) 2001

Jim Warda is the author of
"Where Are We Going So Fast?:
Finding the sacred in everyday moments"
(Foreword by Jack Canfield, co-creator of the
Chicken Soup for the Soul series).