Editorial Trials and tragedies in the lives of Abraham Lincoln and Joe Biden
By Zakaria Virk
There are few similarities in the lives of America’s 16th President Abraham Lincoln (1809-65) and 46th President Joseph Biden (November 1942).
The trials, tragedies, and disappointments Lincoln faced in his life are gut wrenching. He was born in a log cabin to a very poor family. When he was 9 his mother Nancy passed away. When he was 19 his sister Sara passed away during child birth. When he was 26 he fell in love with a girl Ann, but she died due to typhoid fever. Lincoln was self-educated and became a lawyer. In 1862 he got married to Mary Todd who gave birth to four boys. First son Robert was born in 1863 and died in 1926 at age 82. He was an astute lawyer, businessman and politician. Edward was born in 1856 and died in 1860 at age 4. Willie was born in 1850 and died 1862 in the White House at age 12. The youngest Thomas was born in 1853 and died at age 18 in July 1871.
In March 1832 Lincoln lost his first election. Two years later he was successful and remained a four term member of state legislature. In 1843 he lost his election for Congress. In 1846 he succeeded and was Congressman from 1847-49. In 1860 he won the election and became US President. In 1864 he won again but was assassinated in 1865 in Ford Theatre while watching a play.
Joseph Biden’s best personal trait is empathy (the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person). A quality President Trump is accused of utterly lacking. Suffering is something Biden has been no stranger. In November 1972 he was elected youngest senator at age 30, A month later in December when he was setting up his office in Washington he was told his wife Neilia and one year old Naomi while out for Christmas shopping died when their vehicle was hit by a truck. Two little boys 4 year old Beau and 2 year old Hunter were admitted to hospital with serious injuries.
Biden, a devout Catholic keeps counting the beads on his rosary, has always been very religious. After the accident he used to wonder why he has been punished like this. He used travel three hours daily from Washington to Delaware to look after his children. He was known as Amtrack Biden. At times he was very depressed and thought of jumping out of the train. But then he would remember his two little adorable boys.
Biden was proud of his son Beau who was then Attorney General of Delaware. He was awarded Bronze Medal for serving in Iraq. On his return he was diagnosed with brain cancer, for some time it was remission but Beau died on Mary 3, 2015.
A brief look at the lives of Lincoln and Biden, shows how tragedies made them strong.