Former President George Herbert Walker Bush attended a wedding of two old friends the other day. From the pictures I’ve seen, looked like it was a lovely event focused on two upper middle-aged (my age) loved ones getting married up in that beautiful seaport of Kennebunk, Maine. A picturesque spot if there ever was one.
The couple, one 55 years old and the other 60, has been together 12 years, raising two children from a previous marriage, and finally were able to get married. One of those stories you hear more often now and then – long-time together couples marrying at older ages. Sweet.
The President, being the gentleman he is, didn’t make a big thing of attending because the day should be focused on the happy couple. He did bring out a pair of socks – one red, the other blue – continuing his recent leadership role in
the fashion market.
The couple that got married co-own the general store in Kennebunk and are well known among residents and tourists. Bush served as an official witness for the wedding and who among us wouldn’t treasure the signature of a former president on our wedding documents?
Continuing his low-key approach, when Bush’s spokesman was asked about the President’s attendance he said, “They
were private citizens attending a private ceremony for two friends.”
George H.W. Bush is a gentleman and typically does the right thing in a low- key way. In the Jewish religion, doing a good deed and not seeking or getting credit for it is called a mitzvah. One of its definitions is “a human kindness.” Serving as a witness at the wedding of old friends is clearly a mitzvah.
Bush didn’t do it because he was trying to reinforce his “brand” or “leverage” the wedding to his benefit or even to make a statement. He attended to honor two old friends making an even stronger commitment to each other. As it should be.
Didn’t matter to him that the couple is two women. Nor should it to any of us.
The couple, one 55 years old and the other 60, has been together 12 years, raising two children from a previous marriage, and finally were able to get married. One of those stories you hear more often now and then – long-time together couples marrying at older ages. Sweet.
The President, being the gentleman he is, didn’t make a big thing of attending because the day should be focused on the happy couple. He did bring out a pair of socks – one red, the other blue – continuing his recent leadership role in
the fashion market.
The couple that got married co-own the general store in Kennebunk and are well known among residents and tourists. Bush served as an official witness for the wedding and who among us wouldn’t treasure the signature of a former president on our wedding documents?
Continuing his low-key approach, when Bush’s spokesman was asked about the President’s attendance he said, “They
were private citizens attending a private ceremony for two friends.”
George H.W. Bush is a gentleman and typically does the right thing in a low- key way. In the Jewish religion, doing a good deed and not seeking or getting credit for it is called a mitzvah. One of its definitions is “a human kindness.” Serving as a witness at the wedding of old friends is clearly a mitzvah.
Bush didn’t do it because he was trying to reinforce his “brand” or “leverage” the wedding to his benefit or even to make a statement. He attended to honor two old friends making an even stronger commitment to each other. As it should be.
Didn’t matter to him that the couple is two women. Nor should it to any of us.
President and Mrs. Bush with the happy couple: Bonnie Clement, left, and Helen Thorgalsen, center.
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