I didn't like Ronald Reagan. I had even less use for Nancy.

But the sight of her on his coffin, overcome and needing the kids to pry her off the thing, made me cry. Maybe it was because I'd just lost my dad a few months before. I dunno. A couple of my Republican friends looked over at me and said, "What are you crying about? You're a Democrat."

But another Conservative friend understood. This wasn't about Democrat or Republican. And he hoped that if the tables were turned and it was Bill Clinton who'd died, that he'd react with compassion for another human being despite what he might feel about the man or his family.

The conversations today just reminded me of that day. Carry on.