Former first lady Laura Bush and her daughter Jenna Bush Hager were keynote speakers in Friday’s RootsTech opening session. Laura Bush shared detailed stories of the years she and her husband, George W. Bush spent in the White House. She shared touching memories of events that affected her family through the White House years, including world changing crisis, such as the events of 9-11 and the weeks and months that followed.
Through the former First Lady Bush’s stories, we got to see a side of the Bush family that much of the world never got to see. “The media rarely know the stories and details that paint the real picture of who the president is,” said Bush. She then went on to share details of her husband, her family and life events that create a picture of a remarkable and loving family life.
Laura Bush’s message to the audience was, “regardless of all the events that take place in your life, always make time for the family.” She shared stories of how she made time to read to her daughters when they were young, went to family gatherings with the whole Bush clan and did things with her daughters that exposed them to life changing experiences.
Bush also shared stories of how the senior Bush and his wife Barbara Bush made it a point to keep family a top priority. She spoke of the time when George Bush, Sr. was babysitting his granddaughters the night before his televised debates and spent more than an hour looking for granddaughter Barbara’s lost stuffed toy so she could go to sleep.
At the conclusion of Laura Bush’s speech, daughter Jenna Bush Hager hosted a question and answer session where Jenna Bush Hager interviewed her mother about memories she had of her life, the family and the years in the White House.
At the conclusion of the event, both Bushes received a standing ovation, attesting to the appreciation the public had for the stories shared. Laura Bush’s stories provided a rare and warm glimpse into the real lives of the famous Bush family. Her parting message; never forget the importance of making time for the family.
