When life challenges us, sometimes we feel as if our world is crashing down around us. Most of us have been there.

Often the only bit of solace comes from a friend&8217;s wisdom, love and guidance. Good friends are invaluable.

America lost a good friend Tuesday evening with the death of President Gerald R. Ford, Jerry to his friends. In the end Jerry practically had an entire country filled with friends.

Oddly enough, he was the most unlikely of presidents, thrust into an office he didn&8217;t seek at perhaps one of our country&8217;s darkest hours.

For the young people among you, it&8217;s difficult to describe just how disconcerting the time was.

The nation&8217;s involvement in the Vietnam War lingered on and for the first time since perhaps the depths of the War of 1812, we were losing a war. Despite our courageous soldiers, the American people &8212; and ultimately Congress&8217; purse strings &8212; had lost faith in the cause.

President Richard Nixon had just resigned under duress and charges of a cover-up in the now infamous Watergate break-in.

Enter Jerry Ford, the unlikely president.

His tenure in the White House was short &8212; only 896 days &8212; but his impact was long lasting, if not fully appreciated at the time.

He&8217;s now best known as the person who pardoned Nixon. At the time Ford said it just needed to be done.

&8220;Our long national nightmare is over,&8221; he said to the country.

At the time, the move was highly unpopular, but in time, the plain-talking Ford was proven to be correct on a number of fronts.

Ford will be greatly missed. His wisdom &8212; even when it was unpopular &8212; led us through a time of great difficulty and turmoil.

You&8217;ll be missed, Jerry. Like a great friend, you were there when we needed you.