Remembering 41

This week our sweet little town had the pleasure and honor of seeing George H. W. Bush reach his final resting spot. What a privilege to experience history and welcome him and his family yesterday. So many people gathered along the tracks in our community full of excitement.

George H.W. Bush once said “When the really tough choices come…it’s not about Democrats or Republicans. It’s for our country that I fought for.” Honoring a man who gave his whole life to serving our country was a no brainer. Unlike most of my friends, I did not get to know much about George H.W. Bush until he was no longer in office and chose College Station to be the home of his library. If you ever have the chance to visit, it is full of so much goodness not only about the President but the man. I do think it’s a chance to remember our leaders are still human. He was an extraordinary one! I can only hope all ears were open and listening to all that was said about him the last few days.

My pictures are not the best you will see, but sharing them here insures I will never forget this experience. I’ve scattered in a few of the words spoken about him during the services the past week.

“We’re going to miss you. Your decency, sincerity, and kind soul will stay with us forever. So through our tears, let us know the blessings of knowing and loving you, a great and noble man, the best father a son or daughter can have. And in our grief, let us smile knowing that Dad is hugging Robin, and holding Mom’s hand again.” George W. Bush

‘‘Humor is the universal solvent against the abrasive elements of life,’’ Simpson continued. ‘‘He never hated anyone. He knew what his mother and my mother always knew: Hatred corrodes the container it’s carried in.’’

“Comedian Dana Carvey once said that the key to doing a perfect impersonation of the 41st president was ‘‘Mr. Rogers trying to be John Wayne.’’ – Jon Meacham

Note….George W. is giving us all a big Gig ‘Em!

“It coursed through his blood. Loyalty to his country, loyalty to his family, loyalty to his friends, loyalty to the institutions of government.” -Former Sen. Alan Simpson

“He taught us that a day was not meant to be wasted, and he played golf at a legendary pace. I always wondered why he insisted on speed golf – he was a good golfer. Well here’s my conclusion: he played fast so he could move on to the next event, to enjoy the rest of the day, to expand his enormous energy, to live it all. He was born with just two settings: Full-throttle, then sleep.” – George W. Bush