Friday Favorites: Goodbye Mr. President






It's time for Friday Friday Favorites so I am linking up with ErikaNarci and Andrea and The Blended Blog but today's post is going to be a little different. It is a post that is not about holiday shopping (more to come on that) or my favorite hot drink, there is only one Friday Favorite and this post is very personal to me. My Friday Favorite is dedicated to President George H.W. Bush who had a very big impact on my career and my life. Indulge me for a moment as I take a moment to put down into words the memories that have been in my head and on my heart of how this President impacted my career and life.


This is not a political post. This is a post about my life and my heart. You don't have to like his policies (or his son for that matter) to know President H.W. Bush was a very Good man. I am going to out myself politically in this post, please be kind even if you don't agree with me. My blogger friend Holly always wants me to share my employment stories, so here you go girl. 

I came to Washington, DC in the fall of 1988 to go to college. I cast my first vote for George Bush by absentee vote in my freshman college dorm. After he won, through some summer jobs I had and some volunteer opportunities I got an invitation to go to the Inaugural Ball. My parents paid for my tickets because I was a poor college student. After my original date stood me up (true story) I ended up going with another guy friend who owned a tux and we had a total blast. I still remember Mrs. Bush's dress and what they danced to (I Could Have Danced All Night) and how he dipped her on stage. I can't remember what I had for lunch last Tuesday, but these images and the fun those two seemed to be having, that I can remember. 




After the summer of my sophomore year, I got a part-time job in the Finance Department of the Republican National Committee in the basement of the building. It was very very entry level and I made $5 per hour. This little part time job turned into a full time job right after I graduated and I got to work on the big third floor even if it was just answering phones. I answered a lot of phones and took hand written messages. I was a staffer at the 1992 Convention in Houston and was even sent up to New Hampshire the last month of the campaign to help with the last days of the campaign. It was a really Good way to kick off my career in Washington.


President Bush didn't win and the afternoon after the election the staff went over to the White House lawn to welcome back President and Mrs. Bush. I remember the day being overcast and it was pretty fitting for the mood. A month later, we were staffing an event for the White House Christmas decorations and my lovely friend and one of my mentors told us all to take off our name tags and go through the receiving line and just kind of fill in. When I reached the President I introduced myself, told him that I worked at the RNC in the Finance department and said "Mr. President, thank you for what you did for this country." He stopped, smiled and gave me a big side hug and said "No, thank you for what you did." It was the Best feeling. I can tell you that warmth, that graciousness, I know it is all real. I was 22 years old, I answered phones for a living and made coffee and the leader of the free world made me feel appreciated.

Over the last few decades I would work for and know a lot of people who worked for and were close personal friends with President Bush. At one point in my career, I was calling his office on a fairly regular basis and his small staff was always the Best. I was also at a fund raiser years ago in a smaller room for VIPs (I was a staffer at the event--don't be overly impressed) and I had a conversation with the President about one of our mutual friends. It was warm, we laughed and we were talking about people we knew. It was not a staffer talking to a President, it felt like two people who had people we really liked in common. Little did I know at that moment, my friend who was the photographer saw us talking and then came up to us and had me turn so he could take the photo of us above.  It was the Best moment. 



On Tuesday, I got the opportunity to go to the Rotunda of the Capitol where President Bush was lying in state. I got a staff escort into the Capitol and didn't have to stand in line. I am very lucky, I so know that. When I entered the Rotunda, I stopped and prayed and I had the chance to say goodbye and thank you. My heart was full and I was blessed to be in that very moment.


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Life came full circle this week for me, as I now work for the company that provided the funeral train for President Bush. I now work for Union Pacific and Locomotive 4141 brought President Bush to his final resting place. This is such an interesting coincidence that my time in Washington brought me back to a Bush connection as last spring I almost took another job offer. My life sort of always brings me back to those in his orbit. While I was only a very small part of his campaign and didn't work for him the way so people in my life did, I was always so proud to be part of that time. I was blessed to be in his orbit, even if it was the very outer orbit.

One thing that I am learning so much about over the last year and something that we can all learn from President Bush and that is that you can be a bad ass and still be a nice person. Sorry about the swearing there, as my regular readers know I don't really swear, but bad ass is really the Best term to use.  President George W. Bush in his eulogy the other day said "He looked for the Good in people and he usually found it." His dear friend Jim Baker said "He was a leader, and he knew it." We have heard countless stories this week of the people President Bush touched with his warmth and kindness from world leaders to little boys with leukemia and now a 22 year old staffer, namely me.

So I end this very long post with sleep well Mr. President in the loving arms of the Lord with the love of your life and your precious daughter. We will all try to be kinder, gentler because you taught us how to be Better.

As a footnote, I usually don't write so much about myself. It's kind of a uncomfortable place for me to be. I just had so many memories that I wanted to share even if it was just for myself.

18 comments

  1. I am bawling again my friend. I am overjoyed with your warm words regarding our gracious, noble and kind 41st President. Your connection is priceless. I just told my husband, when George W goes, we are going to the Capitol. My background is in US Government. I have watched the coverage nonstop and am not surprised at the tributes, I took am entire course in college on Regan while Bush was in office and this man amazed me. What a blessing in your life and all of ours.

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    1. Thanks sweet Andrea--this is so out of my comfort zone to talk about this! I just needed to say what is on my heart this week. Big big hugs!

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  2. Excellent post! My only suggestion is that you delete the footnote. You don't need to apologize for sharing this great story. You're a kind badass yourself. :)

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    1. My gosh--thank you so much. Sometimes I just really need to hear this. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment.

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  3. Oh my gosh Patty- this is my favorite post yet- I love when you talk about your work- I am so inspired- one of my dreams is to work in Washington- what a wonderful tribute to such a good man- you are blessed to have been able to work with him- love this tribute and appreciate your honesty! XO

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    1. Oh sweet Holly--thank you so much. It was a little uncomfortable to talk about myself. xoxox

      Patty

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  4. BEAUTIFUL story...I had chills. You certainly have great stories about your jobs!

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    1. Oh Jaclyn--thanks so much. I appreciate your nice comments.

      Patty

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  5. Wow! Really was a full circle moment! Thank you for sharing your wonderful memories! I wasn't expecting to watch the funeral but it just really touched me and watched all day! It was so beautiful!

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    1. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment. I so appreciate the support!

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  6. What a beautiful and amazing story. Wow! I loved reading this.

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    1. Thank you. This was one I felt that I just really needed to write this even just or myself. I appreciate all of the kind words.

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  7. Patty, this is great. Hits on how meaningful leaders with integrity can be for young professionals (and everyone)! xo, Cameron. www.thiscustomlife.com

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    1. I totally agree Cameron. He was one of the Best but there are still some Good ones out there! xoxox

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  8. What incredible memories and what a moving tribute. Living here in Houston, the Bushes were a constant "point of light" in our community. I had the thrill and honor of sitting at the next table from them while dining before the theater. They were well loved here, and for good reason.

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  9. wow - just came across your blog thru Living OC Nine, and so glad i did. what another wonderful tribute to President Bush. thanks for sharing your personal thoughts!

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    1. Thank you for your sweet comments! Glad you stopped by and hope you enjoy more mosts in the future! Happy New Year!

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  10. Your blog brought back very fond memories of my days in Washington, DC and the beginnings of our friendship which is almost 30 years strong. ❤️

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