再見了世界上最棒的爸爸!小布希在父親葬禮上致辭全文
前幾天看到小布希在父親葬禮上的致辭,個人認為這是小布希目前為止最棒的一次演講,不管是哪個角度,這篇演講稿都值得反常研究,學習和背誦。
老布希與他的妻子相愛的故事也是一個傳奇,16歲相遇,相愛77年。
正文
小布希為父親葬禮致悼詞
尊敬的各位來賓,包括我們的總統和第一夫人,政府官員,外國政要和朋友們;傑布,尼爾,馬文,多蘿西,我和我們的家人都感謝大家的到來。
我曾聽人說過,人應該保持著年輕的心老去。85歲時,喬治HW布希最喜歡的消遣是開著他的船——忠誠號——開啟三個300馬力的發動機疾行,快樂地穿越大西洋,而特勤局的船只能奮力地跟著。
90歲時,喬治HW布希從一架飛機上跳傘,降落在緬因州肯納邦克波特的海邊聖安妮的陸地上,那裡是他媽媽結婚的教堂,他經常在那裡祈禱。母親喜歡說他選擇了這個位置,只是以防降落傘沒打不開。
在他90多歲的時候,他最高興的是他最親密的朋友詹姆斯貝克將一瓶灰雁伏特加酒悄悄帶進他的病房時。 顯然,它與貝克從莫頓公司選來的牛排搭配得很好。
直到他生命的最後幾天,父親的生活一直給人以啟發。 隨著年齡的增長,他教會我們如何有尊嚴,有幽默感和善良成長。 他也教會我們當上帝最終召喚我們時,我們如何懷著勇敢和對未來承諾的喜悅去迎接他。
父親知道如何保持年輕的原因是,他有兩次幾乎差點死了。 當他十幾歲時,葡萄球菌感染差點奪走了他的生命。幾年後,他獨自一人在太平洋上漂流,在救生筏上祈禱救援人員會在敵人來之前找到他。 上帝回應了那些祈禱。事實證明上帝把喬治HW布希留在人世間,是要他去完成其他事。
對父親來說,我認為那些與死亡擦身而過的經歷讓他珍惜生命之禮,並且他發誓充實地過好每一天。
爸爸總是很忙,一個人不停地奔波,但從來沒有忘記與周圍的人分享他對生活的熱愛。 他教會我們熱愛戶外運動。 他喜歡看著狗洗澡,也喜歡捕獲一條大魚。後來他被限制在輪椅上,但他似乎仍會開心地坐在沃克角別墅後廊他最喜歡的位置上,欣賞著大西洋的威嚴。
他看到的地平線是光明和充滿希望的。 他是一個真正樂觀的人,這種樂觀引導他的孩子們,讓我們每個人都相信一切皆有可能。他不斷地作出大膽的決定來開闊眼界。
他是個愛國者。 高中畢業後,他將大學學業擱置,並在第二次世界大戰爆發時成為海軍戰鬥機飛行員。
像那一代的許多人一樣,他從未談過他對祖國的貢獻,直到他成為公眾人物,迫使他不得不這樣做。 我們知道到了那次襲擊,任務完成,飛機被擊落。 我們知道他的隊員死了,也知道了他一生一直都在追憶他們。 我們還知道了那次救援。
然後是另一個大膽的決定:他把他年輕的家庭從東海岸的舒適區搬到得克薩斯州的敖德薩。 他和媽媽很快適應了那裡乾旱的環境。他是一個寬容的人。即使在他了解到那些在夜晚工作的女士的職業之後,他仍然和那些與我們在小型雙層公寓共用一間浴室的女士們和善相處。
父親可以與各界人士交往。 他是一個善解人意的人。 他重視品格而不是血統,他也不憤世嫉俗。 他尋找每個人的優點,並且通常都會找到。
父親教導我們,公共服務是高尚和必要的,人們可以誠信服務,堅持信仰和家庭等重要價值觀。 他堅信回饋社區和國家非常重要。 他認識到服務他人可以豐富給予者的靈魂。 對我們來說,他是最亮的明燈。
當他失敗時,他承擔了責任。 他承認失敗是充實生活的一部分。 但教導我們永遠不要被失敗所定義。 他向我們展示了挫折讓人們更堅強。
對他來說,何種失望都無法與他生命中最大的悲劇相比:痛失愛女。
傑布和我當時都太小了,不記得當我們3歲的妹妹去世時他和母親承受了多麼大的痛苦。我們後來才知道,有著安靜信仰的父親,每天都為她祈禱。他受到全能者的愛和她母親真切而持久的愛的支持。父親總是相信有一天他會再次擁抱他心愛的羅賓。
他喜歡笑,尤其是自嘲。他或許會拿別人開玩笑,但絕不會出於惡意。他非常重視優質笑話,這就是他選擇辛普森發言的原因。
他有一圈朋友與他通過郵件分享最新的笑話。他的笑話質量評級系統是典型的喬治布希作風。罕見的7級和8級被認為是絕頂的笑話,其中大多數有些低級庸俗。
喬治HW布希知道如何成為一個真心而忠誠的朋友。他以慷慨和樂於付出的靈魂滋養和升華了和許多人的友誼。他遺存著成千上萬的手寫筆記,在信中或鼓勵、或同情、或感謝他的朋友和熟人們。
他心懷極大的主動給與他人的能量。很多人會告訴你,父親在他們的生活中成為了導師和父親般的角色。他傾聽他人,他安慰他們。他是他們的朋友。我想起了唐羅德斯,泰勒布蘭頓,吉姆南茨,阿諾德施瓦辛格,還有也許是最不可思議的——那位擊敗了他的人——比爾柯林頓。我的兄弟姐妹們和我把這群人當作來自其他母親的兄弟姐妹。
他告訴我們,不能浪費一天的生命。他以風馳電掣的速度打高爾夫球。我總是想知道他為什麼堅持閃電高爾夫;他是一名優秀的高爾夫球手。這是我的結論:他快速打完,就可以繼續參加下一場比賽,享受一天的剩餘時間,繼續在生活中完全消耗掉他巨大的能量。他打出生起就只有兩個設置:開足馬力,然後睡覺。
他教會了我們究竟如何成為一位非常棒的父親、祖父和曾祖父。當我們開始尋求自己的方式時,他堅持自己的原則,又無條件支持著我們。他鼓勵和安慰他人,但從未操縱過任何人。我們測試過他的耐心。我知道我這麼做過。但他總是報之以他的偉大天賦——無條件的愛。
上周五,當我被告知他只有幾分鐘的彌留時,我給他打了電話。那個傢伙接了電話,說:「我覺得他能聽到你,但他一天中大部分時間都是什麼都沒說。」我說,「父親,我愛你,你是一個很棒的父親。」他在地球上說的最後一句話是,「我也愛你。」
對我們來說,他近乎完美。但並非十全十美。他打高爾夫的短桿很臭。在舞池裡的他並不是弗雷德阿斯泰爾。父親不能吃蔬菜,尤其是西蘭花。順便說一下,他把這些遺傳缺陷傳遞給了我們。
最後,在他73年婚姻的每一天,父親都教會了我們成為一個偉大的丈夫意味著什麼。他迎娶了他的摯愛。他崇拜她。他和她休戚與共。他對她完全無私地奉獻。
在他年老的時候,父親喜歡看警察表演的重播,音量很高,一直握住母親的手。母親去世後,父親很堅強,但他心裡最想做的就是握著母親的手。
當然,父親教給我另一堂特別的課。他向我展示了如何成為一名正直地服務國家、心懷對國家公民的大愛、以勇氣和行動來領導國家的總統。
在撰寫史書時,他們會說喬治HW布希是一名偉大的美國總統,有著無與倫比技巧的外交官,有著巨大成就的總司令,一位以尊嚴和榮譽履行其職責的紳士。
在作為美國第41位總統的就職演說中,他說:「我們不能指望只給孩子留下更大的汽車、更富有的銀行戶頭,我們必須希望他們了解如何成為一個忠誠的朋友,一個慈愛的家長,一位把自己的家、社區和城市變得比他一開始看到的更好的公民。我們更希望和我們一起工作的人們說什麼?是說,我們比我們周圍的任何人都更執著於成功?還是說,我們會停下來問一個生病的孩子感覺身體是否好點了,並在那裡稍等片刻,來換取一段友誼?「
好吧,父親,我們將會記住你的確如此、不僅如此,而且我們會一直想念你。你的正派、真誠和善良的靈魂將永遠留在我們身邊。因此,在淚眼之間,讓我們享受這份能夠認識你和愛你的福分,你這位偉大而高尚的人。你是作為兒女可以擁有的最好的父親。在悲痛中,讓我們微笑,因為我們知道父親正抱著羅賓,也再次拉著母親的手。
READ ON FOR THE FULL TRANSCRIPT OF GEORGE W. BUSH"S MEMORIAL FOR HIS FATHER:
Distinguished guests, including our Presidents and First Ladies, government officials, foreign dignitaries, and friends; Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro, and I and our families thank you all for being here.
I once heard it said of man that the idea is to die young as late as possible. At age 85, a favorite pastime of George H.W. Bush was firing up his boat, the Fidelity, and opening up the three 300 horsepower engines to fly, joyfully fly across the Atlantic with the Secret Service boats straining to keep up.
At age 90, George H.W. Bush parachuted out of an aircraft and landed on the grounds of St. Anne"s by the Sea in Kennebunkport, Maine, the church where his mom was married and where he worshipped often. Mother liked to say he chose the location just in case the chute didn"t open.
In his 90s, he took great delight when his closest pal, James A. Baker, smuggled a bottle of Grey Goose vodka into his hospital room. Apparently it paired well with the steak Baker had delivered from Morton"s.
To his very last days, dad"s life was instructive. As he aged he taught us how to grow with dignity, humor and kindness. When the good lord finally called, how to meet him with courage and with the joy of the promise of what lies ahead.
One reason dad knew how to die young is that he almost did it, twice. When he was a teenager, a staph infection nearly took his life. A few years later he was alone in the Pacific on a life raft, praying that his rescuers would find him before the enemy did. God answered those prayers. It turned out he had other plans for George H.W. Bush.
For dad"s part, I think those brushes with death made him cherish the gift of life, and he vowed to live every day to the fullest.
Dad was always busy, a man in constant motion, but never too busy to share his love of life with those around him. He taught us to love the outdoors. He loved watching dogs flush a covey. He loved landing the illusive striper. And once confined to a wheelchair, he seemed happiest sitting in his favorite perch on the back porch at Walker"s Point contemplating the majesty of the Atlantic.
The horizons he saw were bright and hopeful. He was a genuinely optimistic man, and that optimism guided his children and made each of us believe that anything was possible. He continually broadened his horizons with daring decisions.
He was a patriot. After high school he put college on hold and became a navy fighter pilot as World War II broke out.
Like many of his generation, he never talked about his service until his time as a public figure forced his hand. We learned of the attack, the mission completed, the shootdown. We learned of the death of his crewmates whom he thought about throughout his entire life. And we learned of the rescue.
And then another audacious decision; he moved his young family from the comforts of the East coast to Odessa, Texas. He and Mom adjusted to their arid surroundings quickly. he was a tolerant man. after all, he was kind and neighborly to the women with whom he, Mom and I shared a bathroom in our small duplex. Even after he learned their profession, ladies of the night.
Dad could relate to people from all walks of life. He was an empathetic man. He valued character over pedigree, and he was no cynic. He looked for the good in each person and he usually found it.
Dad taught us that public service is noble and necessary, that one can serve with integrity and hold true to the important values like faith and family. He strongly believed that it was important to give back to the community and country in which one lived. He recognized that serving others enriched the giver"s soul. To us, his was the brightest of a thousand points of light.
When he lost, he shouldered the blame. He accepted that failure is a part of living a full life. but taught us never to be defined by failure. He showed us how setbacks can strengthen.
None of his disappointments could compare with one of life"s greatest tragedies, the loss of a young child.
Jeb and I were too young to remember the pain and agony he and Mom felt when our 3-year-old sister died. We only learned later that Dad, a man of quiet faith, prayed for her daily. He was sustained by the love of the Almighty and the real and enduring love of her Mom. Dad always believed that one day he would hug his precious Robin again.
He loved to laugh, especially at himself. He could tease and needle but never out of malice. He placed great value on a good joke. That"s why he chose Simpson to speak.
On e-mail he had a circle of friends with whom he shared or received the latest jokes. His grading system for the quality of the joke was classic George Bush. The rare 7s and 8s were considered huge winners, most of them off-color.
George Bush knew how to be a true and loyal friend. He nurtured and honored his many friendships with a generous and giving soul. There exists thousands of handwritten notes encouraging or sympathizing or thanking his friends and acquaintances.
He had an enormous capacity to give of himself. Many a person would tell you that Dad became 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, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and perhaps the unlikeliest of all, the man who defeated him, Bill Clinton. My siblings and I refer to the guys in this group as brothers from other mothers.
He taught us that a day was not meant to be wasted. He played golf at a legendary pace. I always wonder why he insisted on speed golf; he"s a good golfer. Here"s my conclusion. He played fast so he could move on to the next event, to enjoy the rest of the day, to expend his enormous energy, to live it all. He was born with just two settings, full throttle, then sleep.
He taught us what it means to be a wonderful father, grandfather and great grandfather. 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 know I did. But he always responded with the great gift of unconditional love.
Last Friday when I was told he had minutes to live, I called him. The guy answered the phone, said "I think he can hear you but he hasn"t said anything for most of the day." I said, "Dad, I love you and you"ve been a wonderful father," and the last words he would ever say on Earth were, "I love you too."
To us he was close to perfect. but not totally. His short game was lousy. He wasn"t exactly Fred Astaire on the dance floor. The man couldn"t stomach vegetables, especially broccoli. And by the way, he passed these genetic defects along to us.
Finally, every day of his 73 years of marriage, Dad taught us all what it means to be a great husband. He married his sweetheart. He adored her. He laughed and cried with her. He was dedicated to her totally.
In his old age dad enjoyed watching police show reruns, the volume on high, all the while holding Mom"s hand. After Mom died, Dad was strong, but all he really wanted to do was hold Mom"s hand again.
Of course Dad taught me another special lesson. He showed me what it means to be a President who serves with integrity, leads with courage and acts with love in his heart for the citizens of our country.
When the history books are written, they will say that George H.W. Bush was a great President of the United States, a diplomat of unmatched skill, a Commander in Chief of formidable accomplishment, and a gentleman who executed the duties of his office with dignity and honor.
In his inaugural address the 41st President of the United States he said this: "We cannot hope only to leave our children a bigger car, a bigger bank account, we must hope to give them a sense of what it means to be a loyal friend, a loving parent, a citizen who leaves his home, his neighborhood and town better than he found it. What do we want the men and women who work with us to say? That we were more driven to succeed than anyone around us or that we stopped to ask if a sick child had gotten better and stayed a moment there to trade a word of friendship?"
Well, Dad, we"re going to remember you for exactly that and much more, and we"re going to miss you. Your decency, sincerity, and kind soul will stay with us forever. So through our tears, let us know the blessings of knowing and loving you, a great and noble man. The best father a son or daughter could have. And in our grief, let us smile knowing that Dad is hugging Robin and holding Mom"s hand again.
100天行動讀者反饋
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200天了
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Day40:早起,運動,今天做的很棒,一開始不確定自己能否堅持一個月,不知道自己能否做到,到今天已經40天了,看來自己真的有毅力哦,人生有夢就去追,加油!?? ?? 百日行動必達??
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