In the Cloud of Witnesses: Barbara Bush, 1925-2018

America is mourning the loss of Barbara Bush at age 92, wife of the 41st U.S. President George Herbert Walker Bush. Yet it is also celebrating her life with fondness and respect, as one lived with joy and laughter uniquely “her way.” As First Lady, she valued her own “ordinariness”: her premature white hair, her ever-present strands of pearls—which, as she put it, covered up her wrinkles--her humor, and her love of country, family, dogs and books. She readily shared these with a nation who loved her, and we remember her today as a beloved life in contemporary America.

America has lost two icons of late—Billy Graham and, now, Mrs. Bush. Both have been publicly remembered for their selfless and generous contributions to our world. Their love for and acceptability by people from all walks of life have endeared them to our nation and to the world. Both have been repeatedly referred to as a “class act.”

What is striking to so many, however, are their long marriages, their love for family in spite of their private and public imperfections, and their faith that allowed--as Mrs. Bush put it—the assurance that she would be welcomed at death by a “loving God.” One can only imagine the peace that must have given to her and to her family.

The New Testament book of Hebrews, verse 12:1, states that “we are surrounded by so great a cloud of [heavenly] witnesses.” But sometimes here on earth, we have the privilege to be part of the crowd of witnesses to the heavenly. Such has been our opportunity with the passing of both Billy Graham and, now, Barbara Bush. America has been honored by the lives and legacies of both—significant lives, well lived.