I left Aggieland yesterday morning, passing through Houston and Dallas before finally touching down at home in Atlanta. This assignment passed in a blur! Being sick with the flu for the past week has made me a grouchy old bear, but I’m still sorry to leave. There was so much more to see and explore in College Station and the surrounding cities. And I worked with so many wonderful, colorful, fun people here! I’m leaving richer by many new friends.
Before I left, though, I wanted to see the George Bush Presidential Library at Texas A&M. I’d seen signs for it constantly but never had a chance to peek inside.
As I walked in, a man I didn’t know jovially offered to take my picture in front of the library. “You seem to be good at this,” I observed as I posed awkwardly, not adding for a middle-aged man. He laughed and admitted he was the center’s marketing director. I thanked him and told him to have a wonderful day at work. What a nice man!
The library, as it turns out, isn’t open to the public, only the museum… but since the nice ladies in the front were a good five minutes into their tour by the time I figured this out, I was a good sport and went to the museum anyway.
I took a few pictures, but the size of the museum testified to the full, accomplished life of George H.W. Bush, 41st President of the United States. The life demands respect all politics aside: it was lived with energy, resiliency, stamina, and courage. I’m glad I went to see it so I can share the experience with my parents’ neighbor, who’s been to College Station but insisted, “I just couldn’t go there on principle… I’m a Democrat.”
