I had the distinct pleasure and honor to meet Jimmy Carter on two separate occasions. The first was at Eckerd College in 1988. I was working near there and was late in getting to the event. I was fortunate to get a seat in front row center with my large video camera.

Jimmy exited to the right after his speech and I saw the bifold doors ajar to his left. I entered through them and tapped his shoulder for an autograph on my special envelope. He signed it and it was the only autograph that he signed that special evening.

I have no idea where the Secret Service agents were. I proceeded to the post office to have it canceled. It was closed but through the mail slot, I saw postal workers and yelled out, “I need help!” A postal worker appeared, and I slipped him the envelope to have it canceled. He slipped it back to me through the slot.

The second time I saw Jimmy was at a book signing in 2015. I purchased a ticket for the event online. Suzanne and I went to get a signed book.

I dropped the ticket in a barrel and was told by the Secret Service that I was not to touch him or speak to him. I proceeded through the line and Jimmy was at a desk on a small stage. I was handed a signed copy by a girl and was told to move on.

I was taking pictures with my digital camera and a person approached me and told me that I would have better pictures if I went to the media area directly across from Jimmy. I did so, but Suzanne was held back by security.

I was taking pictures and I heard Jimmy say, “I have had enough of this!” I thought that he was going to use the restroom. He got up and walked over to me, and we conversed for a while about his time in the submarines, etc.

I left with a great experience, realizing that he had truly lived “A Full Life!”

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