Hugs For The President

Hugs for the President

Michael felt like an outsider. Maybe it was because he was an adopted kid, or because his Hollywood parents never had time for him. When his folks divorced, he was devastated. After his actor dad married Nancy, things got worse. His new stepmom tolerated no competition for her husband’s heart. Eventually, Nancy froze Michael out of the family circle. The lonely boy longed for two things from his father: a hug and the three words “I love you.” He got neither.

Michael watched from a distance as his dad went from being president of the Screen Actors Guild, to governor of California, and finally to president of the United States. The only time he was useful to his father was when he was trotted out at some political event to bolster the family image. Michael would stand there with a plastic smile hiding the pain of never cracking the circle of love shared only by Ronnie and Nancy.

Then he turned to Jesus. By grasping how much his heavenly father loved him, he got over his bitterness toward a distant earthly dad. But he still ached for his father to embrace him and say, “I love you.” He was devastated when he heard that his dad was in the first stages of Alzheimer’s. The clock was ticking. Would Michael ever hear those three words?

One day he saw his dad in a crowded room. His old wounds throbbed again. What would Jesus do? Michael knew the answer. He walked across the room and embraced his startled father. “Dad, I love you.” For a moment, the old man was confused. Then he replied softly, “I love you, too.” Michael says that every time he saw his father after that, he would hug him and say, “Dad, I love you.” After a while, the old president no longer recognized who he was. But he still knew that Michael was the one who always hugged him. Whenever his son came into the room, President Reagan’s face would light up as he opened his arms wide for his hug.

Michael saw his dad for the last time a few days before he slipped into a coma. As Michael pulled out of the driveway, his wife tugged at his arm and pointed to the house. His father was standing on the porch, a frail ninety-three-year-old, arms spread wide, waiting for the hug that his son forgot to give him.

At the funeral service for President Reagan, Michael was still shuffled to the outer edges. Nancy never acknowledged his presence. But he had the look of a man at peace. A few days later, he wrote in a news column, “The best gift that my father left me was the knowledge that he had a personal relationship with Jesus, and is waiting for me in heaven.” Maybe you’re waiting for a certain someone to show you love. Why don’t you take the initiative? Reach out and give a hug. Michael would say amen to this truth:

Hugs are like boomerangs. Eventually they come back to you.

He returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.

Luke 15:20