In all my years of researching Lincoln’s life for my book, Young Lincoln of New Salem, I have found what he lost in life was worth saving in his memories. This was something he learned time and again throughout his life.
In the many first hand accounts I have reviewed over several decades, one important personal trait he never lost. He never let go of his deep, emotional feelings for friends and beliefs he treasured.
He kept all that he cherished locked inside his heart and soul. To those he shared his feelings and beliefs with, he was a man of great courage and compassion. The fact that he never let go of memories of those he loved and cherished is reflected in countless photos that reveals the grief concerning them. Such deep, heartfelt feelings were all a part of the sadness that never left his face.
In some ways it was these emotions that filled his most sincere beliefs and contributed to the great man Abraham Lincoln became. He drew to embrace all that was inside him to become one of the greatest presidents and one of the greatest Americans who ever lived.
He left both a legacy and a shining example of what can be accomplished against all odds if one comes to believe in oneself. In writing my own book about Abraham Lincoln I became deeply humbled by this man’s shining example to others. I will always admire him.
On the coming occasion of the 211th anniversary of his birth on February 12th I would encourage everyone to learn more about the life of this great human being.
~ Sam Rawlins
(Mr. Rawlins is the author of Young Lincoln of New Salem, available in paperback, hardcover, and ebook from Amazon and Barnes and Noble)