When a family member passes away, it is always an emotional time. With Barbara Bush’s recent passing, the whole of America has felt saddened by the news, joining her family in their grief.
Barbara passed away on Tuesday 17th April 2018 at 92-years-old, with her husband, former President George H.W. Bush, at her side. She left behind a proud legacy and was one of the only women in American history to be both the wife and mother of a U.S. president.
Barbara Bush’s granddaughter Jenna Bush Hager, said her goodbye in a tearjerking letter to her ‘Gammy’, celebrating the wonderful life and teachings that her beloved grandmother gave her.
“Dearest Ganny,
When we lost you, we lost one of the greats. You were our family’s rock, the glue that held us together. I hope you know in your final days how many people prayed for you, how many people told me they loved you. It was like that my whole life – people stopped me everywhere – in airports, on the street and declared their love for you.
It always felt good. We didn’t mind sharing you with the world.
We called you “the enforcer.” It was because, of course, you were a force and you wrote the rules and your rules were simple. Treat everyone equally, don’t look down on anyone, use your voices for good, read all the great books (oh, how I will miss sharing books with you!)
I will never forget when Barbara and I as 7-year-olds snuck to the bowling alley and ordered presidential peanut butter sandwiches. We couldn’t wait for someone to deliver what was sure to be the fanciest sandwich of our lives when you opened the door, scolding us, telling us under no circumstances could we order food in the White House again, this was not a hotel. You taught us humility and grace.