Seems like a good time to post this as former President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn are in what their grandson described as their “final chapter.

I was 24 when he was elected president. He came out of nowhere a one term governor of Georgia, former naval officer and deeply religious man. His improbable win for the White House over incumbent Gerald Ford was looked at as a move by the American people to clean house after the Watergate scandal. Carter was seen as an honest guy with a big smile and 180 degrees difference from the Nixon era. They lost his reelection bid to Ronald Reagan after failing to bring home the Americans being held hostage in Iran. Plus, I mean honestly Reagan could talk the antlers off an elk.

Well, after that, I never gave Carter another thought until 1986 when I was working as a correspondent for CNN based in Atlanta.

Georgia native Carter built his Presidential Library and Museum a mile or so from CNN headquarters, and I was assigned to cover its opening well ahead of the opening ceremony.

I was among the handful of reporters invited to tour the place our guides, none other than the former President and First Lady Rosalynn. They were fascinating to watch from a distance of really only about two feet. Very quiet, very humble, very, very sharp.

Just before kicking off the tour, the couple made eye contact with every reporter, silently judging us I guess, certainly snapping indelible mental photos of us so they would never forget who we were, should we come into contact again. Or if they didn’t like our stories. Then we were treated to Jimmy and Rosalynn’s interaction with each other.

Here’s a man who had been the most powerful person in the world is quietly and respectfully asking his wife, but next Roselyn right here should instruct him as she pointed to one of the many gifts bestowed upon them from various heads of state and don’t forget this one. Yes, dear, the former president replied with a mild look and chagrin for not thinking of it himself.

But when we came to what was called a campaign room with memorabilia from his successful first campaign, you can see his bright blue eyes shine. Rosalynn backed away and let Jimmy do the honors.

As he described all the cool stuff on the walls and shelves and showcases from a moment that must have seemed like the highlight of his life. Kind of reminded me of a guy in his mancave showing off his big TV, sports autographs and a chip and dip bowl on the shape of his favorite football team’s helmet.

At one point, the former President looked over to his trusted partner who gave the equivalent of the “wrap it up Jimmy sign, time to move on.” And he did.

Now, regardless of what anyone thought of his politics, it was fascinating to see these two very public and once powerful figures in a more intimate setting, joking with each other, trusting each other bantering with us reporters, as if we bumped into each other at the local coffee shop down in their hometown of Plains, Ga. and then they invited us over. Hey, why dontcha come over, take a little tour of our new house just moved into? Yeah, for sure.

An indelible memory of a wonderful day in my long career of a former president and first lady who served the world long after they left office. It was cool, all right. Even if they scared the crap out of you when they locked out to your eyes like those kids in the Village of the Damned, but it was just a way of saying, I see you, treat us well in your story–and if you touch anything, I remember who you are.

Well, I don’t know how many days Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter have left in his life, but I’ll always be thankful to the former First Couple for that one.