I recently saw a documentary on the History Channel about the Emperor Hadrian who reigned 117-138 CE. He is counted as one the great Roman rulers because he brought relative peace, fixed borders, and built lasting structures, including many big and beautiful walls. However, his legacy is complicated, balancing brilliant administration with manic energy. He was unpopular with the elites. The Roman Senate was unable to work with him because of his caustic personality. He ignored tradition and was most comfortable trusting his own advice. Does this sound like anyone we know?
The older I get I can’t help but finding comparisons with people in history and even in contemporary life and family lineage. I do it with sports figures. For example, White Sox second baseman Chase Meidroth reminds me of Nellie Fox. Until recently no one reminds me of my grandmother. Let me share something a neighbor, Barbara Vandervoort once observantly said of her.
She’s not like anybody any of us have ever known. When she is happy, no one is cheerier. When she is angry, no one is meaner. When she is sad, no one is melancholier. When she is charming, no one is more enchanting…… ETC. ETC. ETC.
She was a unique character until recently I see similarities in her and of all people, Donald Trump. They are and were characters of abrupt extremes.
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