1. In 2011, I was helping with the Presidential Medal of Freedom Ceremony by organizing all the recipients in the Green Room at the WH prior to the ceremony. Lots of important people in the room, so I decided I’d be the most helpful if I just stayed out of the way in the corner.
2. That’s when I felt a warm hand touch my arm. When I looked to see who it was, I couldn’t believe it was Barbara Bush, smiling at me with such warmth and familiarity, it felt as if we were old friends.
3. She held my arm to help steady her as she came into the room. The room, already filled with Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients, suddenly felt full of warmth and light. As President and Mrs. Bush passed by me, she looked at me and said, “thank you”.
4. I immediately looked around to see if anyone else had seen what happened. The first person I saw was @YoYo_Ma, who was looking at me and excitedly mouthed the words: “That was Barbara Bush!” I mouthed back, “I know!” before my brain could think “Wait, and you’re Yo-Yo Ma!”
5. I’ve been lucky to be in a lot of rooms with a lot of amazing people. I’ve seen only a handful of people with the genuine warmth of Barbara Bush. I think a lot of rooms across America had more light and love because of her. Thinking of her family tonight. Rest in Peace.
