I sent this photo to our daughter-in-law Laura Bush in 1983 with this note: “Thirty years ago your husband looked like this—so did your father-in-law; and so did Robin, who might well today be your best friend had she lived.” (Bush Library)
I sent this photo to our daughter-in-law Laura Bush in 1983 with this note: “Thirty years ago your husband looked like this—so did your father-in-law; and so did Robin, who might well today be your best friend had she lived.” (Bush Library)
I sent this photo to Texas congressman Jack Fields in 1989. However, it was taken in March 1956 at commissioning ceremonies for one of our offshore drilling rigs, the Scorpion. That’s the governor of Texas with me. (Bush Library)
Sent to our friend and campaign volunteer Taylor Blanton on election night, 1964. I lost. (Courtesy of Taylor Blanton)
The RNC co-ed softball team. I’m way in the back, with a woman sitting on my shoulders. Pete Roussel, my press secretary at the RNC, is the guy lying on the ground in front. (Courtesy of Peter Roussel)
Photo taken by Pete Roussel sometime in 1973 or ’74. That’s C. Fred, one of our literary dogs. (Courtesy of Peter Roussel)
Playing golf with President Reagan and Donald Reagan in 1983. I sent this photo to my mother with this note: “Do you think Dad would approve of the swing on the guy farthest away? Much, much love, Pop.” (Courtesy of the Reagan Library)
“Dear Geraldine [Ferraro]—Here’s a couple of lunch shots. I enjoyed it. Merry Christmas to you and yours—George Bush.” December 6, 1984. (Bush Library)
“Dear Aunt Marge [Clement], Here’s our family picture from the inauguration. (Green Room in the White House) I love you—George.” January 20, 1985. (Courtesy of the Reagan Library)
“Mum—I love this shot of Jenna and Barbara, taken on Air Force II as we flew to Amer. Legion Convention in San Antonio.” August 25, 1987. (Bush Library)
“Dear Mum, I love this picture of you and me . . . Devotedly, George.” September 2, 1987. (Bush Library)
With New York Mayor Ed Koch at the annual Al Smith Dinner in New York, October 20, 1988. (Bush Library)
Sent to Gorbachev on December 10, 1988, when I was president-elect. The shot was taken in Maine on August 7, 1988. (Bush Library)
Sent to John Sansing at the Washington Magazine after they named Millie the ugliest dog in Washington. April 20, 1989. (Bush Library)
Facing off against White House residence staffer Ron Jones in the Horseshoe Tournament Finals, June 24, 1990. (Bush Library)
A gift from Mexico President Carlos Salinas. I sent him the photo with this note: “If you see a slightly overweight, 6′2″ gringo in an enormous sombrero in black with silver on the legs smiling happily, that’ll be me. George.” November 28, 1990. (Bush Library)
This was taken the day we found out Gorbachev had survived the attempted coup against him in the Soviet Union, August 21, 1991. I sent the photo to him several months later with this note: “Everything in this picture, except for Barbara, is now gone. This is our bedroom and the wave knocked down a wall and sent all these things out to sea.” The storm occurred on Halloween 1991. (Bush Library)
I sent this photo to my Yale baseball coach. “Dear Ethan . . . Here’s a picture taken on opening at Camden Yards, the new magnificent ball park of the Orioles. ‘3 Georges’—George ‘P,’ the newest ball player threw a perfect strike on his opening pitch. Mine, clocked at 39 mph, ran out of gas at the plate. Geo W., the Ranger’s man, didn’t throw. Poppy.” April 6, 1992. (Bush Library)
I sent this photo to the mayor of Shanghai, after he sent me a note of congratulations on my parachute jump in March 1997. Holding on to me are my jumpmasters, Glenn Bangs (left) and Andy Cerrano of the United States Parachute Association. I jumped again, with the same team June 9, 1999, to celebrate my seventy-fifth birthday. (Tom Sanders, Aerial Focus)
Two very proud parents look on as our son becomes the 43rd President of the United States on January 20, 2001. (Official White House photo by Wally McNamee)
I reach for the President’s hand after his remarks at the National Cathedral on September 14, 2001, three days after 9/11. (Official White House photo by Eric Draper)
George and Laura hosted a wonderful dinner for Barbara and me on our 60th wedding anniversary, January 6, 2005. This family photo was taken in the Red Room at the White House. Seated, from left:Marvin Bush, Barbara Bush (the granddaughter), Laura Bush, George W. Bush, Barbara Bush (the matriarch), George H.W. Bush, Jeb Bush. Standing from left:Gigi Koch, Margaret Bush, Walker Bush, Jenna Bush, Doro Koch, Bobby Koch, Pierce Bush, Maria Bush, Neil Bush, Ashley Bush, Sam LeBlond, Robert Koch, Ellie LeBlond, Jeb Bush Jr., Mandi Bush, George P. Bush, Columba Bush. (Official White House photo by Eric Draper)
President Clinton and I visit with a group of school children in Sri Lanka in February 2005. We were on a four-country swing, visiting the areas most devastated by the South Asia tsunami that had hit Christmas Day 2004. These children were attending school outside, in the dirt. (Joseph Reilly)
Getting the Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama in a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Feb. 15, 2011. (Official White House photo by Lawrence Jackson)
I was so proud when the USS George H.W. Bush went on its first deployment in 2011, helping support the efforts of the Navy’s 6th Fleet. I was even prouder when the ship and her crew won numerous awards for its outstanding service during the trip. Here the ship pulls out of Cartagena, Spain, en route to the Suez Canal. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Billy Ho)
Our first great-grandchild, Georgia Helena Walker Bush—daughter of Jebby and Sandra—comes to visit her great-grandparents in October 2011. She is enchanting. (Barbara Bush)
