Just outside of Lincoln’s law office in Springfield, Illinois stands a unique statue of Abraham & Mary Lincoln. Actually the statue is not just of them either-as two of their boys are their with them as well.

This is prePresidential Lincoln. He is portrayed as the Springfield lawyer Lincoln. He is beardless. His wife Mary is apparently straightening his appearance (did she do that a lot?).

One of the boys-Robert Todd, I think- is waving goodbye.

The scene depicted is one of a family going about their daily routine. Father (Abe) is going to work.  Mother (Mary) is seeing him off. The boys are doing what they would normally be doing. We don’t have Lincoln the “saint” here. We don’t have “hellcat” Mary. We don’t have spoiled Lincoln children. We have “normal.”

The other interesting thing is that Mary Lincoln is even depicted at all. I’m glad she is. How many statues exist that have both Abraham & Mary Lincoln portrayed?

It’s important to note that Lincoln was a family man. We typically don’t think of him in that way. He had a wife and children. He went to work. He played with the kids. He worked around the house. And, yes, he went to the bathroom!-well, the out-house:

 

Lincoln was a man not a god. He put his pant on the same way we all do. He had the same emotions that we all have. He dearly loved his family. I’m glad to see this statue. Lincoln shouldn’t always be high on a pedestal out of reach to mortals.