Goodbye #41
December 5, 2018
I spent a lot of time crying today for a man I didn’t know, He was a man elected to the highest office in this country, yet I never cast a vote for him. That’s because I disagreed with most of his policy decisions as President of the United States, except for possibly the one that may have cost him re-election to a second term. Today, I watched as our nation said goodbye to former President George H. W. Bush in a moving ceremony at the National Cathedral in our nation’s capital.
The state funeral for President Bush was a rendition of what a funeral/memorial service should be – a combination of reverence and celebration for someone who spent his life in service to his country and his family.
It touched me. It touched me in dozens of ways.
It touched me when President George W. Bush’s voice cracked when he delivered the closing words of his eulogy for his father. I’ve not been a fan of Bush #43, but I know what it’s like to lose an adored father and to deliver the eulogy at his funeral. In that moment, #43 wasn’t a politician, but a grieving child.
It touched me that the NBC commentators, who are colleagues of the former president’s granddaughter, Jenna Bush Hagar, seemed to have tears in their hearts and throats. These people clearly care about Jenna and are hurting with her. It reminded me that most of my colleagues and friends traveled to Ada, Oklahoma in November 1998 to attend my father’s funeral service. Most of them had never met my father.
It touched me to hear the stories from the eulogies delivered by long-time Bush friends Jon Meacham and former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. It touched me to see the living former U.S. Presidents and their wives, as well Supreme Court justices, members of Congress, and others from across the globe gather in the National Cathedral to pay their respects for an honorable person and his family.
It touched me to hear the heartfelt condolences from as many Democrats as Republicans. It touched me to read once again, the now famous letter that President Bush left for his successor, President Clinton.
After the service, the NBC journalists covering the funeral commented that several in attendance were at one time opponents of the former president, yet they respected his character and humility. Much has been written about the friendship between the senior Bush and Clinton even though Clinton defeated him in a contentious election, ending Bush’s attempt to serve a second term.
During the post funeral commentary, the NBC journalists noted, “Washington, DC has been quiet this week.” Chuck Todd said he hoped Congress was listening to the words spoken about President Bush’s ability to work with both Democrats and Republicans.
I would like to think we could find a way to work together again, too. I would like to believe Maurico Macri’s quote, “There is more that unites us than divides us.” But, I don’t know anymore. I’ve heard a lot of hateful words and seen too many acts of hate and violence the past few years. Although I’m beginning to feel a little hopeful again, that hope is more fragile because of our current reality.
Our national discourse feels broken. Each side blames the other for the present state of affairs. I have my own ideas about where the fault lies, but I’m not sure it really matters. I’m tired of the noise of the arguments. As I watched the news this week of remembrances of President Bush and plans for his funeral, I was grateful for the “quiet.” I don’t know how long it will last, but I do know that I want to be part of the solution to “fix” the brokenness. I hope it is possible.
Godspeed #41.