God works in mysterious ways. I know you have heard that before. I was just finishing up reading the book Molder of Dreams by Guy Rick Doud. It is a wonderful tale of his life, and how there were many teachers, some by profession, some just by their nature, who made a lasting impact on his life. As a homeschooling mom, I want to help mold the dreams of my children.

Mr. Doud went on to become one the those dream-molders. He became a teacher; his students loved him. When I got the news about the death of former President Reagan, I was just at the part in the book where Guy Doud was chosen for the National Teacher of the Year award. He was going to get the award in Washington, DC, and receive the Crystal Apple from the President at that time, Ronald W. Reagan. President Reagan was going to present the award to Mr. Doud in the Rose Garden on April 14, 1986.

But a major situation developed and Mr. Doud was told that the President would be unable to make the presentation. It seemed like a major letdown, but calls were made, and the President made a way for that presentation to take place, not in the Rose Garden, but in the Oval Office. That was the day President Reagan ordered our military to drop bombs on Libya in an attempt to destroy Muammar al Qaddafi's terrorist forces.

President Reagan presented the poem "Teachers," by Clark Mollenhoff, to Guy Doud that day. It was in his own handwriting, on stationery emblazoned with the Seal of the United States of America. This poem can be found on the Internet at www2.una.edu/grisner/teacher_inspiration/teacherpoem.html. The coincidence of my reading this book at the same time of the passing of President Reagan has been a bittersweet time of reflection. While I was reading about his memorial, I was intrigued by the traditional "riderless horse." I had just recently acquired permission for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine to use an image of the painting Riderless Horse by Frederic Remington for one of the Fine Arts columns.

Frederic Remington, famous cowboy artist. Ronald W. Reagan, famous Cowboy President.

The images on television of the black horse with the lonesome saddle and the empty boots facing backwards in the stirrups are a symbol of a fallen warrior who will never ride again.

Jacqueline Kennedy created this tradition when John F. Kennedy was mourned in 1963. Black Jack, the horse used back then, served at more than 1,000 funerals during his 24-year career, including those of Herbert Hoover, Dwight Eisenhower, and General Douglas MacArthur.

Sergeant York was the handsome, solid black horse bearing an empty saddle and Ronald Reagan's empty riding boots.

The loss has been great, but the gain has been remarkable. This funeral, steeped in tradition and law, brought us images that haven't been seen in our country since the Lyndon Johnson state funeral in 1973. Young people needed to see this. Our senior citizens needed to see this. Everyone across America needed to see this. America still cares and understands the importance of ritual, respect, and tradition and the importance of honoring our Commanders in Chief, past, present, and future.

We will miss your smiling face, Mr. Reagan. Your faith was an inspiration to us. Your service as our 40th President was an honor for us, as well as for you. Your passing gives this teacher and mother an opportunity from which to teach and to mold a new generation. Ride on!

For information on the elements of a state funeral, see www.americadigest.org/mt-archives/001584.php.

Nancy Baetz - Nancy Baetz is the mother of four lovely children that have been homeschooled since day one.  She loves to help other families get started homeschooling and hosts newcomer encouragement meetings for the Colorado Springs Homeschool Support Group.  She has been the Art and Photo acquisitions editor for TOS magazine and enjoys writing and photography.  She and her family live in beautiful Colorado Springs.  She would love to hear from you at NancyBaetz@msn.com