Barbara Bush

Barbara Pierce Bush

June 8, 1925 – April 17, 2018

“Bar”

    “Ganny”

         “The Enforcer

              “America’s First Lady”

                    “Tranquility”

                         “America’s First Grandmother”

Barbara Bush was one of only two women in U. S. history to be the wife of one president and the mother of another.  Since Abigail Adams died before her son was inaugurated, Barbara Bush was the only woman to see both her husband and son sworn into office as President of the United States.

* Believer and follower of Jesus Christ

 * Wife of George Herbert Walker Bush for 73 years – 41st President

            2nd Lady of the United States      1981-1989

            1st Lady of the United States        1989-1993

* Mother of 6 children

            Mother of 46^th Governor of Texas, George W. Bush

 and 43rd President of the United States

            Mother of 43rd Governor of Florida, Jeb Bush

* Grandmother to 17

* Great Grandmother

* Board Member of AmeriCares which “Saves lives and improves health for people affected by poverty or disaster so they can reach their full potential.”

* Founded Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy

* Board Member of Mayo Clinic

What an amazing lady who treasured faith, family, and friends.  It speaks volumes when the world mourns one’s death and acknowledges the contributions of one’s life.  Faith, family, and service were imbedded in Barbara Bush’s DNA.  Her goal was to help people have a better life and future.  The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy has raised more than $110 million to further reading opportunities. She believed that reading is the most important issue we have.  It would be easier to be successful if one could read.

It has been amazing to me to see how the Bush family responded to two distinct difficulties, heartaches, and challenges in their lives.  Their daughter, Robin Bush, lost her life to cancer at such an early age.  Her mother wrote, “Robin was just 3 years old when she died of leukemia in October 1953.  Because of Robin, George and I love every living human more.”  Thus, the Bushes were active in their support for cancer research, with Barbara Bush serving on the board of the Mayo Clinic.  Since one of their sons has dyslexia, there was a strong interest and dedication to finding ways for all people to have the opportunity to be successful readers so she formed the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy.

Quotes from Family:

As the end of her life was nearing, Barbara’s son Jeb asked if she feared the end.  She responded: “I believe in Jesus, and he is my Lord and Savior.  I don’t want to leave your dad, but I know I will be in a beautiful place.”

President George W. Bush wrote, “My dear mother has passed.  Laura, Barbara, Jenna, and I are sad, but our souls are settled because we know hers was.”

President George H. W. Bush:  “I always knew Barbara was the most beloved woman in the world, and in fact I use to tease her that I had a complex about that fact.  But the truth is the outpouring of love and friendship being directed at The Enforcer is lifting us all up.  We have faith she is in heaven and we know life will go on - - as she would have it.  So cross the Bushes off your worry list.”

In her letter to her Ganny, Jenna Bush Hager wrote of lessons she had learned.

Treat everyone equally.

Don’t look down on anyone.

Use your voices for good.

Read all the great books.

Words matter.  Kindness matters.  Looks fade.

Humor, wit, and grace are the best accessories.

Live a life of humility, grace, and unconditional love.

Barbara Bush Quotes:

“Never lose sight of the fact that the most important yardstick of your success will be how you treat other people – your family, friends, and coworkers, and even strangers you meet along the way.”

“Believe in something larger than yourself…get involved in the big ideas of your time.”

‘The American Dream is about equal opportunity for everyone who works hard.  There is no equal chance to succeed without the ability to read and write.”

“Early on I made a choice, which I hope you’ll make as well.  Whether you are talking about education, career, or service, you’re talking about life - - and life really must have joy.  It’s supposed to be fun.”

“You must read to your children and you must hug your children.  Your success as a family…our success as a nation…depends not on what happens inside the White House, but on what happens inside your house.”

“Instead of complaining about the problems we have, why not get in and try to solve some.”

“At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict or not closing one more deal.  You will regret time not spent with a husband, a child, a friend or a parent.”

“I don’t have a fear of death for my precious George or myself because I know there is a great God.”

With the recent passing of Barbara Bush and Billy Graham, it is a reminder that all of us have limited time on this earth.  Each day we have opportunities to give, serve, and make a difference for God’s Kingdom.  The decisions we make, the words we speak, who we choose to be, and what we do will contribute to the legacy we leave behind.  And it is what is invested in others that will be remembered and treasured after we are gone.

“Show me LORD, my life’s end

     And the number of my days;

     let me know how fleeting my life is.”

Psalm 39:4

Scripture read by Bush granddaughters at her funeral:

A wife of noble character who can find?

     She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her

     and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm,

     all the days of her life.

She selects wool and flax

     and works with eager hands.

She is like the merchant ships,

     bringing her food from afar.

She gets up while it is still night;

     she provides food for her family

     and portions for her female servants.

She considers a field and buys it;

     out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

She sets about her work vigorously;

     her arms are strong for her tasks.

She sees that her trading is profitable,

     and her lamp does not go out at night.

In her hand she holds the distaff

     and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

She opens her arms to the poor

     and extends her hands to the needy.

When it snows, she has no fear for her household;

     for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

She makes coverings for her bed;

     she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

Her husband is respected at the city gate,

     where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them,

     and supplies the merchants with sashes.

She is clothed with strength and dignity;

     she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom,

     and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household

     and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed;

     her husband also, and he praises her;

“Many women do noble things,

     but you surpass them all.”

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

     but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Honor her for all that her hands have done,

     and let her works bring praise at the city gate.

Proverbs 31:10-31