The following is just part of what Patti Davis wrote about the passing of George H.W. Bush in The Washington Post:
America will lay to rest a man who served his country. We will pause, and mourn, and reflect. We might also want to mourn the loss of dignity that we have long associated with the office of the president and that is no longer there. No matter what you thought of George H.W. Bush’s time in office, he never attacked or abused people or institutions. He was never crude or dismissive of people who were hurting. And he had reverence for the Constitution and the pillars of democracy that built this nation — the pillars that are now being chipped away, crudely and casually. He understood that peace is a fragile thing, and that to maintain it, nations have to work together, employ diplomacy and treat one another with respect. That tone is set by leaders.
He spoke of “a better America . . . an endless enduring dream and a thousand points of light.” President Trump once mocked that vision, but his mockery cannot diminish the importance of Bush’s words.
What a beautiful image, encouraging people to aim for the heavens instead of groveling in the shadows, inspiring people to leave a mark that lights up the darkness.
My wish for the Bush family is that they look into the night sky and see a thousand and one points of light.