I am deeply saddened by the news about former first lady, Barbara Bush’s death. She was a force of nature and one of those first ladies, in my opinion, who had the ability to transcend party lines. Her commitment to reading and education led an organization that I was involved with to engage her as our key note speaker for our annual breakfast in 1999. At that time I was intimately involved in the planning and preparation for her visit. Little did I realize that that experience would lead me to what I do today.

During her two day stay in our city I realized there was time in her schedule that needed to be filled with some sort of entertainment or dinner. So, I, along with my late husband, sent a personal invitation to her inviting her to a small, intimate dinner that we hosted with the other people involved in our organization. Much to my surprise Mrs. Bush sent back a note saying she would be delighted to have dinner with my husband and me and our other guests.
What a thrill it was to receive her handwritten note on her Kennebunkport stationery accepting our invitation.

I learned a great deal during those days leading up to and during the days we spent hosting someone as distinguished as a First Lady. Mrs. Bush was gracious, down to earth, funny and so appreciative of our hospitality and interested in all of us. I remember saying to her that I was surprised that she accepted our invitation. She responded with, “Why Karen, if you never ask, the answer is always no.” She said one of the things she enjoyed the most was getting to know the people who were engaging her to speak. Besides that she said, “if you didn’t invite me to dinner I’d go back to my hotel room and order room service.”

Our dinner with Mrs. Bush will always be a bright spot in my memory. I learned that people of her great distinction really do pay attention to the small kindnesses. That was evident when my husband and I received her personal note of thanks for our hospitality. Her notes have become treasures for me.

You never know where life will take you. In my wildest dreams, I never thought I’d ever be hosting a First Lady of the United States for dinner…

Rest in Peace, Mrs. Bush. You left the world a better place for having been in it. You will be missed and how grateful I am that our paths crossed even if it was in a small way.