Dear editor:
Wednesday, through technology, we participated in the memorial service to President 41, G.H.W. Bush. The beauty, noble breadth, majesty and sincerity touched all who were able to watch.
The theme most notably stressed was love, humor, family and friendship. From historian John Meachum, previous Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, former Sen. Alan Simpson and son G.W. Bush, this theme was repeated.
I thought the Rev. Russell Levenson’s sermon brought together the message in a special way. G.H.W.B. had given him a brass placard with this message: “Preach Christ at all times. If necessary use words.” To me, this was the message of the day. We should simply follow this message in our lives. The transcendence of love that is beyond words and religious dogma is what we are all supposed to do. This love is found in all who accept it. Of course, it is easy to fall short and when we often do we have to remember the original message and try again and again as necessary.
Robin Bush was a daughter that George and Barbara lost to leukemia when she was just approaching the tender age of 4.
Here are some of the last words Robin said to her dad before she died: “I love you more than tongue can tell.” Again we have the message of love beyond words. Robin at age 3 had already ingrained this idea from her mom and dad who had recited these eight words from an old children’s poem of Joy Allison. The Bush family, again and again, gives us this message.
G.W.B. (President 43) ended his tribute to his dad with loving devotion and these words: “Dad is hugging Robin and holding mom’s hand again.” It is a vision and dream we all wish could be fulfilled.
It seems George Herbert Walker Bush was the dad we all longed for. Dana Carvey humorously envisioned him as Mister Rogers trying to be John Wayne.
Thank you G.H.W. Bush for being a great leader and president. None of us are perfect. But you best exemplified how we are to try to live our lives. And thank you for making America and the world a friendlier, safer place to live.
Bill Wiedmann
Hot Springs