Roots of Inspiration: The Carter Oak
- Hope Gibbs
- Feb 25
- 5 min read
Updated: Feb 25
Hello and Happy New Year! I apologize for the long gap since my last post. The past few months have been a whirlwind filled with holidays, traveling to Mexico, making some new ocean friends (more on that in a future post), and unfortunately, battling the flu, which sidelined me for a few weeks. Trust me, get the shot, y’all! But now I'm back and committed to being more consistent with my blogging. New Year, new me!
I’m getting ready to hit the road again so to speak—on my way to Sea Island, Georgia. It’s a place that holds a special place in my heart. Nestled along the Atlantic coast, Sea Island has been a go-to spot for our family for over a decade. It’s where my children have built sandcastles on the beach, enjoyed rounds of golf, spent hours playing pickleball, and winning bingo pots, never complaining that coats and dresses were required in the ballroom.
Sea Island also inspired me as a writer, serving as the perfect backdrop for my creative pursuits. I wrote several chapters of Where the Grass Grows Blue there, surrounded by the soothing sounds of the waves and the warm sun. This spot was also where I first held my book in my hands, a moment that I’ll never forget.
This trip, however, will be a little different. It marks my first visit since the passing of former President Jimmy Carter. Each time I go to Sea Island, whether accompanied by family or friends, I uphold a cherished tradition—taking a moment to visit the Jimmy Carter Oak. This majestic tree stands alongside others planted by dignitaries and former presidents who have visited this beautiful locale throughout the years. The tradition began with President Calvin Coolidge in 1928 and has since included notable figures such as Queen Juliana of the Netherlands, President Dwight Eisenhower, and President Bill Clinton. The most recent addition to this legacy was in June 2004, when President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair participated in this enduring tribute.
I love this row of trees, but the Carter Oak holds a special place in my heart, as President Carter is one of my lifelong heroes. My admiration for him began with a simple act of kindness—his ability to make a young child feel important while he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders.
In 1981, I met him. This memorable encounter happened when my brother, Todd, was named the National Poster Child for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. This opportunity allowed our entire family to travel to Washington, D.C., to advocate for funding for this genetic disease, which, at that time, had a life expectancy of just around thirteen years. Our trip included meetings with several members of Congress, the head of the FBI, and even a tour of the Pentagon with the Secretary of Defense. We also had lunch at a place called Watergate—I had no idea why everyone was so excited about dining there, but remember, I was only nine! This trip also marked the first time anyone in my immediate family had flown on an airplane, making it an unforgettable experience all around.
But the pinnacle of the trip—and one of the most unforgettable moments of my life—was meeting President Carter in the Oval Office. I remember stepping into that space and realizing—even as a third grader—that this was no ordinary day. When President Carter walked in, he greeted us all by name with genuine warmth and compassion, I was truly moved. He made us feel valued, and witnessing someone who held the highest office in the land be so approachable was truly inspiring. A few weeks later, our home in Kentucky received a large envelope filled with photographs from our meeting—each one thoughtfully personalized by President Carter. Those images are treasures, capturing a moment of kindness that resonates with me to this day.
After that, my eagerness to learn everything I could about him grew immensely. In an era before Google, when encyclopedias were our go-to source of information, I stumbled upon a remarkable connection: we share the same birthday—October 1st. Wow! The realization that I, a young girl from Holland, Kentucky, had the same birthday as our president filled me with a sense of pride. It made me feel special.
After President Carter left office, my admiration for him continued to grow. Rather than quietly retiring or making speeches for profit, he chose to leverage his platform to champion causes that truly mattered, particularly in the areas of human rights, Habitat for Humanity, and public health. Did you know about his pivotal role in eradicating Guinea worm disease? It’s just one example of his unwavering commitment to aiding the less fortunate, which only deepened my admiration for him.
After his passing in December, I found myself listening to pundits and historians discussing his legacy—topics I was already familiar with. It was a bittersweet experience, both comforting and poignant. However, my perspective shifted when I stumbled across a documentary that revealed another facet of him. Something I had never read or heard about…his profound connection to music.
The enlightening documentary, Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President (2020), focused on an intriguing aspect of his life, showcasing his deep love for music and its significance throughout his campaign and presidency. I was unaware of this side of him. I had no idea that he and his wife, Rosalynn, hosted multiple concerts at the White House, inviting a diverse range of artists to share their talents and celebrate the cultural landscape of the time, further underscoring the importance of music in his life and presidency. But the highlight of the film for me was the connection between Bob Dylan and Jimmy Carter, which illustrated a unique bond between the political and musical realms. Their meeting in 1976 symbolized a powerful partnership, with Dylan's music resonating with themes of social justice and change—echoing Carter's unwavering commitment to those same ideals.
As I've shared in previous posts, Bob Dylan has had a HUGE influence on me as well. His song “Tangled Up in Blue” provided the hook I was looking for while writing my book. I even used it as my title when querying publishers. Although I later changed it after discussions with my audiobook publisher, that song inspired me so much and changed my life. Yet, another connection I shared with President Carter, the power of a song.
As I make my way to the Jimmy Carter Oak on this trip, I will reflect on how his legacy continues to inspire countless individuals, myself included. I might even hum a Dylan tune while I’m at it.
As always, I’ve included a recipe from my book, Where the Grass Grows Blue. Enjoy!
Kentucky Green Beans
Ingredients:
3 strips of bacon
4 cans Allens Italian Cut Green Beans
2 tablespoons minced onions
Salt and pepper to taste
A sprinkle of white sugar
Instructions:
In a large pot, fry the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Leave the bacon and grease in the pot.
Add the minced onions to the pot and sauté until they are soft.
Pour in the 4 cans of green beans (including their liquid) and stir to combine.
Season with salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of white sugar. Stir well.
Bring the mixture to a slow simmer over low heat. Let it cook uncovered, stirring occasionally. Add additional liquid if necessary to keep it from drying out.
Serve warm and enjoy!
Feel free to adjust the seasonings to your taste!
Until next time…
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