Of all the images that stood out this week (besides Duchess Kate looking amazingly smashing a mere 7 hours after giving birth),<\/i> there was one picture that spoke volumes to all who are willing to listen. Here at the funeral of one of America\u2019s finest First Ladies, stood the eight of them\u2026<\/p>\n
George the father.<\/em><\/p>\n George the son.<\/em><\/p>\n Laura.<\/em><\/p>\n Barack.<\/em><\/p>\n Michelle.<\/em><\/p>\n Bill.<\/em><\/p>\n Hillary.<\/em><\/p>\n And Melania.<\/em><\/p>\n At first glance, the differences amongst the eight seem strong. With further, intentional reflection, the eight are recognized as having something in common none of the rest of us are even close to sharing (save for Georgia\u2019s Jimmy and Rosalynn and the current President, who consistent with protocol was not in attendance.)<\/i> They form an exclusive, unique club.<\/p>\n They are a diverse group\u2026\u00a0 <\/span>from 47 to 93 years old\u2026 from one in a wheelchair who still skydives\u2026 to another who is passionate about crossword puzzles\u2026 to another who bikes regularly, often with veterans\u2026 to another who still shoots the basketball \u00a0and loves college analysis\u2026<\/p>\n \u2026 Not to mention their wives, who have their own sweet passions, interests, gifting, and skill sets\u2026\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n They are a unique group of people.<\/p>\n They are a diverse group of people.<\/p>\n And note (<\/i>BIG NOTE<\/i>):<\/i> they don\u2019t all think even close to the same way.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n And yet, they each seem to recognize they have more in common than they do not.<\/p>\n (Do their followers and fans recognize that?)<\/i><\/p>\n In a day to honor Barbara Bush, smiling, enjoying the moment, they arguably seem to recognize what they uniquely have in common. I love this! In fact, I asked one of my most politically astute friends, a former AP Government teacher, \u201cWhat\u2019s your reaction to this iconic photo of the eight?\u201d<\/p>\n She said:<\/p>\n \u201cWhole. Peaceful. Civility.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Grace. Warmth. Comforted. Blessed.<\/i><\/p>\n That these men and women gave with their hearts in good and not so good.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n Oh, how I love that!<\/p>\n That they gave!!<\/b><\/p>\n Of course, we do not always think like them. Of course, we do not always agree with them. They do not, in fact, always agree with one another. But we must be bigger. We must be wiser. We must embrace more than the very limiting, divisive, partisan echo chambers.<\/p>\n I keep thinking about the reason the astute group gathered\u2026 for the funeral of former First Lady Barbara Bush. People raved about her\u2026 about her honesty\u2026 frankness\u2026 truthfulness\u2026 faith\u2026 and ultimate sincerity.<\/p>\n More than anything else it seems, friends acknowledged Barbara Bush\u2019s incredible ability to speak the truth in love.<\/p>\n \u2026 to speak the truth in love\u2026<\/i><\/p>\n Oh, do we have much to learn\u2026 starting with having more in common than we do not.<\/p>\n Respectfully\u2026<\/p>\n AR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Of all the images that stood out this week (besides Duchess Kate looking amazingly smashing a mere 7 hours after giving birth), there was one picture that spoke volumes to all who are willing to listen. Here at the funeral of one of America\u2019s finest First Ladies, stood the eight of them\u2026 George the father. … <\/p>\n