At one time I thought I would teach history
in a high school setting, and completed a bachelors degree in that curriculum. But
like two roads “diverging in a woods,” and I taking a different pathway in
terms of my graduate work and vocation, I have always loved history and enjoyed
reading volumes and viewing documentaries about the topic.
Speaking of history, the 41st
President of the United States joined the ranks of dozens of other former
presidents of this great nation this week, and I have spent several hours
watching television coverage of George Herbert Walker Bush’s life and death,
including the viewing of his casket in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, and his
national and state funeral services.
One
highlight of yesterday’s funeral service in the National Cathedral was the
younger George’s eulogy of his father. Among friends and family, he is known as
a man who can cry when a leaf falls off a tree. Reports were that he was steeling
himself to get through the eulogy without breaking down. He almost did.
However, in the last thirty seconds his emotions failed him.
When
“#43” referred to his father, “#41” as, “The best father a son or daughter
could have” and went on to say, “And in our grief, let us smile knowing that
Dad is hugging Robin, and holding Mom's hand again,” George Jr. bent over
double, and emitted a poignant sob.
Pt. 2
Speaking
of ‘poignant,’ the second most poignant moment in the service, at least for me,
came during the homily of Russell Levenson, pastor of St. Martin’s Episcopal
Church of Houston, GHWB’s home church.
During
his eulogy Rev. Levenson acknowledged Bush’s Secretary of State and friend,
James Baker, who was in the audience.
The
senior Bush and James Baker had been friends before he became president, and the
former asked the latter if he would assist him in his presidential campaign. At
this juncture, Baker was reported to have said, “Well George, you know I’m a
Democrat.” To which (the future) “#41” replied with a twinkle in his eye, “We
can take care of that!”
In
their later years, Jim Baker and George Bush lived in close proximity to one
another, and Baker would visit his ailing friend on a daily basis. As the good minister
continued his homily, he referred to Baker’s final visit with the former
president, and how the dear man was, at the moment, in the throes of dying.
What
the pastor said next caused tears to well up in my eyes, and, no doubt, most
everyone in the massive cathedral.
“As
George lay dying before him Jim stood from his chair, …and began to rub his
friend’s feet. He continued to rub them for a full half hour.”
As
the pastor shared this little tidbit, the live camera panned the audience and
settled on the former Secretary of State. His head was bowed, and his was
weeping.
The
eulogist completed his thought.
“As
his friend performed his humble task, the dying man smiled.”
by William McDonald, PhD. Copyright Pending
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