“I love you more than tongue can tell.”
When George H.W. Bush was preparing to accept the Republican presidential nomination in 1988, he sent his speechwriter a list of notions that he believed best represented him. “Words I like: family, loyalty, kids, freedom, grandkids, caring, love, heart, decency, faith, honor, service to country, pride, fair play, tolerance, strength, hope, healing kindness, excellence…I like people; I’m proud of the USA; I like sports; I’m experienced; I love kids.”
Yes, he loved kids so much he mentions them twice.
President Bush passed away on November 30, 2018. Family is the cornerstone of his legacy.
Family First
There are things that could be said critically about his Presidency but make no mistake – George H.W. Bush was foremost a family man.
Granddaughter, Jenna Hager Bush – produced NBC’s A Love Letter to Gampy – and credited her grandfather with always making each family member feel adored regardless of “whatever demands were placed on him in his professional life.”
The Bushes lost one of their kids – an only daughter at the time, Robin – at the age of three, to leukemia. Her too short life marked them for the rest of their lives.
Robin was the little girl H.W. held tightly, who spoke the phrase Bush repeated for his entire life, forever knitting Robin’s voice into the tightly woven fabric of his family: “I love you more than tongue can tell.”
10 Instructions For Young Leaders
The chairman and editor in chief of Leaders magazine, asked President Bush what was the greatest challenge he had to overcome in his life.
Bush answered with a handwritten letter containing the following:
1. Don’t get down when your life takes a bad turn. Out of adversity comes challenge and often success.
2. Don’t blame others for your setbacks.
3. When things go well, always give credit to others.
4. Don’t talk all the time. Listen to your friends and mentors and learn from them.
5. Don’t brag about yourself. Let others point out your virtues, your strong points.
6. Give someone else a hand. When a friend is hurting, show that friend you care.
7. Nobody likes an overbearing big shot.
8. As you succeed, be kind to people. Thank those who help you along the way.
9. Don’t be afraid to shed a tear when your heart is broken because a friend is hurting.
10. Say your prayers!!
April 23, 2003
APPLICATION: Pass the wisdom in this post on to someone you know who would be inspired by it. Our world needs kinder, gentler leaders like George H. W. Bush. Please leave a comment below. Thank you.
Hope grows here. I write to share stories that inspire people, build faith in Jesus, and offer lasting purpose. If this material is helpful to you, please follow me.
- Subscribe. I’ll put helpful content into your email box early Mondays and Thursdays, as well as upcoming events at North Pointe Community Church, Edmonton, Alberta.
- Follow on Twitter. I daily tweet info I think you’ll be interested in.
- Friend on Facebook. If you “like” my page, let me know you found me here.
- Connect on Linkedin. I like this because it reminds me what people think I’m good at.
This is the purest example of MEEKNESS, do we all have it.
A gentleman that truly loved what he preached.
Rare today.
Glad to have known you Pres.Bush.