佩利英语成功学第002期（小布什悼词3-2）

At age 85, thefavorite pastime of George H.W. Bush was firing up his boat, the “fidelity”,and opening up the three 300 horse powers engine to fly, joyfully fly, acrossthe Atlantic, with the secret service boats straining to keep up.

At 90, George H.W. Bush parachuted out of an aircraft and landed on the grounds of St. Ann’s bythe Sea in Kennebunkport, Maine—the church where his mom was married and wherehe’d worshipped often. Mother liked to say he chose the location just in casethe chute didn’t open.

In his 90’s, hetook great delight when his closest pal, James A. Baker, smuggled a bottle ofGrey Goose vodka into his hospital room. Apparently, it paired well with thesteak Baker had delivered from Morton’s.

悼词英文全文：

Eulogy by President George W. Bush atthe State Funeral of President George Herbert Walker Bush.

Distinguished Guests, including ourPresidents and First Ladies, government officials, foreign dignitaries, andfriends: Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro, and I, and our families, thank you all forbeing here.

I once heard it said of man that “Theidea is to die young as late as possible.” (Laughter.)

At age 85, a favorite pastime of GeorgeH. W. Bush was firing up his boat, the Fidelity, and opening up the three-300 horsepowerengines to fly – joyfully fly – across the Atlantic, with Secret Service boatsstraining to keep up.

At 90, George H. W. Bush parachuted outof an aircraft and landed on the grounds of St. Ann’s by the Sea inKennebunkport, Maine – the church where his mom was married and where he’dworshipped often. Mother liked to say he chose the location just in case thechute didn’t open. (Laughter.)

In his 90’s, he took great delight whenhis closest pal, James A. Baker, smuggled a bottle of Grey Goose vodka into hishospital room. Apparently, it paired well with the steak Baker had deliveredfrom Morton’s. (Laughter.)

To hisvery last days, Dad’s life was instructive. As he aged, he taught us how togrow old with dignity, humor, and kindness – and, when the Good Lord finallycalled, how to meet Him with courage and with joy in the promise of what liesahead.

Onereason Dad knew how to die young is that he almost did it – twice. When he wasa teenager, a staph infection nearly took his life. A few years later he wasalone in the Pacific on a life raft, praying that his rescuers would find himbefore the enemy did.

Godanswered those prayers.It turned outHehad other plans for George H.W. Bush. For Dad’s part, I thinkthose brusheswith deathmade him cherish the gift of life. And he vowed to live everyday to the fullest.

Dadwas always busy – a man in constant motion – but never too busy to share hislove of life with those around him. He taught us to love the outdoors. He lovedwatching dogs flush a covey. He loved landing theelusive striper. And once confined to a wheelchair, he seemed happiest sittingin his favorite perch on the back porch at Walker’s Point contemplating themajesty of the Atlantic. The horizons he saw were bright and hopeful. He was agenuinely optimistic man. And that optimism guided his children and made eachof us believe that anything was possible.

Hecontinuallybroadened his horizons with daring decisions. He was apatriot. After high school, he put college on hold and became a Navy fighterpilot as World War II broke out. Like many of his generation, he never talkedabout his service until his time asa public figureforced his hand. Welearned of the attack on Chichi Jima, the mission completed, the shoot-down. Welearned of the death of his crewmates, whom he thought about throughout hisentire life. And we learned of his rescue.

Andthen, another audacious decision; he moved his young family from the comfortsof the East Coast to Odessa, Texas. He and momadjusted to their arid surroundingsquickly. He was a tolerant man. After all, he was kind and neighborly to thewomen with whom he, mom and I shared a bathroom in our small duplex – evenafter he learned their profession –ladies of the night. (Laughter.)

Dadcouldrelate topeople fromall walks of life. He was anempathetic man. Hevalued character over pedigree.And he was no cynic. He looked for the good in each person – and usually foundit.

Dadtaught us that public service is noble and necessary; that one can serve withintegrity and hold true to the important values, like faith and family. Hestrongly believed that it was important to give back to the community andcountry in which one lived. He recognized that servingothers enriched the giver’s soul. To us, his was the brightest of a thousandpoints of light.

Invictory, he shared credit. When he lost, he shouldered the blame.He accepted that failure is part of living a full life, but taught us neverto be defined by failure. He showed us how setbacks can strengthen.

Noneof his disappointments could compare with one of life’s greatest tragedies, theloss of a young child. Jeb and I were too young to remember the pain and agonyhe and mom felt when our three-year-old sister died. We only learned later thatDad, a man of quiet faith, prayed for her daily. He was sustained by the loveof the Almighty and the real and enduring love of our mom. Dad always believedthat one day he would hug his precious Robin again.

Heloved to laugh, especially at himself. He could tease and needle, but never outof malice. He placed great value on a good joke. That’s why he chose Simpson tospeak. (Laughter.) On email, he had a circle of friends with whom he shared orreceived the latest jokes. His grading system for the quality of the joke wasclassic George Bush. The rare 7s and 8s were considered huge winners – most ofthem off-color. (Laughter.)

GeorgeBush knew how to be a true and loyal friend. He honored and nurtured his manyfriendships with his generous and giving soul. There exist thousands ofhandwritten notes encouraging, or sympathizing, or thanking his friends andacquaintances.

He hadan enormous capacity to give of himself. Many a person would tell you that dadbecame a mentor and a father figure in their life. He listened and he consoled.He was their friend. I think of Don Rhodes, Taylor Blanton, Jim Nantz, ArnoldSchwarzenegger, and perhaps the unlikeliest of all, the man who defeated him, BillClinton. My siblings and Irefer to the guys in this group as“brothersfrom other mothers.” (Laughter.)

Hetaught us that a day was not meant to be wasted. He played golf at a legendarypace. I always wondered why he insisted on speed golf. He was a good golfer.

Well,here’s my conclusion: he played fast so that he could move on to the nextevent, to enjoy the rest of the day, to expend his enormous energy, to live itall. He was born with just two settings: full throttle, then sleep. (Laughter)

He taughtus what it means to be a wonderful father, grandfather, and great grand-father.He was firm in his principles and supportive as we began to seek our own ways.He encouraged and comforted, but never steered. We tested his patience – I knowI did (laughter) – but he always responded with the great gift of unconditionallove.

LastFriday, when I was told he had minutes to live, I called him. The guy whoanswered the phone said, “I think he can hear you, but hasn’t say anything mostof the day. I said, “Dad, I love you, and you’ve been a wonderful father.” Andthe last words he would ever say on earth were, “I love you, too.”

To us,he was close to perfect. But, not totally perfect. His short game was lousy.(Laughter.) He wasn’t exactly Fred Astaire on the dance floor. (Laughter.) Theman couldn’t stomach vegetables, especially broccoli. (Laughter.) And by theway, he passed these genetic defects along to us. (Laughter.)

Finally,every day of his 73 years of marriage, Dad taught us all what it means to be agreat husband. He married his sweetheart. He adored her. He laughed and criedwith her. He was dedicated to her totally.

In hisold age, dad enjoyed watching police show reruns, volume on high (laughter),all the while holding mom’s hand. After mom died, Dad was strong, but all hereally wanted to do was to hold mom’s hand, again.

Ofcourse, Dad taught me another special lesson. He showed me what it means to bea President who serves with integrity, leads with courage, and acts with lovein his heart for the citizens of our country. When the history books arewritten, they will say that George H.W. Bush was a great President of theUnited States – a diplomat of unmatched skill, a Commander in Chief offormidable accomplishment, and a gentleman who executed the duties of hisoffice with dignity and honor.

In hisInaugural Address, the 41st President of the United States said this: “Wecannot hope only to leave our children a bigger car, a bigger bank account. Wemust hope to give them a sense of what it means to be a loyal friend, a lovingparent, a citizen who leaves his home, his neighborhood and town better than hefound it. What do we want the men and women who work with us tosay when we are no longer there? That we were more driven to succeed than anyonearound us? Or that we stopped to ask if a sick child had gotten better, andstayed a moment there to trade a word of friendship?”

Well,Dad – we’re going remember you for exactly that and so much more.

Andwe’re going to miss you. Your decency, sincerity, and kind soul will stay withus forever. So, through our tears, let us see the blessings of knowing andloving you – a great and noble man, and the best father a son or daughter couldhave.

And inour grief, let us smile knowing that Dad is hugging Robin and holding mom’shand again.