Following the death of President George H. W. Bush on Friday, Nov. 30, his twin granddaughters Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Bush reflect on his kindness and likability.
In an interview with TODAY on Wednesday, the women expressed that people’s stories and fond memories of the 41st President have helped them through their difficult grieving process.
“I’m shocked by how many people have some memory of meeting him somewhere, and how they found him funny or how loving he was or how personable he was,” Barbara said.
“That’s a really wonderful gift to us, is that we get to hear all these people’s stories, people we never otherwise probably would’ve talked to, and how he touched their lives as well.”
Barbara revealed that her grandfather spoke about losing the love of his life during one of her final conversations with him.
“I asked him if his heart was broken and he said yes. And then he looked at me and said, ‘Do you think it’ll feel worse than this?’ And it just really got me,” she explained.
Jenna spoke about the conversation she had with her daughter Mila about her “Gampy’s” passing – and her response made our hearts melt.
“Mila said, ‘Well, of course it’s happening before Christmas. Gampy had to get to Gammy so they could decorate their Christmas tree,'” Jenna said with smile.
“And I thought, you know, from the mouth of babes, because they had never spent a Christmas apart in their whole 73 years, 74 years. Of course, he wanted to be there. And she probably was, like, ‘Come on! Time to come home.'”
President H. W. Bush’s memorial service took place on Wednesday, Dec 5, in Washington D.C.’s National Cathedral and his body will be laid to rest the next day at his presidential library in College Station, Texas.
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