Posterity

by Dorie Mccullough Lawson

  Consideration of others at all times, be they right or wrong, is an acknowledgement of your own limitations.

  Appreciation of acts of kindness and thoughtfulness will always make it possible for you to reciprocate in kind.

  Never worry about protecting my name or my reputation. But always remember that it is your name you must protect and live with the balance of your life, which I am sure will be a constructive one as well as one of service to your fellow man.

  Never fail to live up to the rules of the game, always play it in accordance with your knowledge and appreciation of the difference between right and wrong.

  Always be a good soldier and not just a man in uniform.

  Never try to impress other people with your superiority of knowledge, the latter of which you have been blessed with abundantly.

  Never fail to remember that to have a strong and healthy mind you must first have a strong and healthy body.

  Protect your body by limiting the abuses that go with every day life and you will automatically protect your mentality.

  To become a good pilot and remain one never forget that an airplane is like a rattlesnake, you must keep your mind and eye on it constantly or it will bite you when you least expect it which could prove fatal.

  Study the design, mechanics, and operation of your plane thoroughly and in detail.

  Learn the detailed functioning and limitations of your plane, its accessories and its engines, and you will never abuse them to the degree that you will be the sufferer.

  Learn to know and appreciate the mechanics who work on your plane and every unit of its operation because their appreciation of you at all times may mean the difference between a successful flight and one that is not.

  Take advantage at all times, without interfering with your regular duties, to benefit through wholesome outdoor exercise such as golf at which you are very proficient.

  For your peace of mind and emotional stability, play the piano when you feel the desire, when time permits, and when the opportunity is available.

  Be certain to let your superior officer know the necessity to favor your left shoulder for some time to come in your daily exercises.

  Make arrangements with the finance officer to have your checks sent to me in care of Eastern Air Lines, and I in turn will see that they are credited to your bank account, from which you may issue checks and will keep you advised of your balance.

  Never hesitate to let me know if your requirements or needs exceed your earning power or bank balance.

  By remaining strong physically and mentally remember you will be helping your country to develop the greatest and strongest air power in the world which is basically the salvation of this nation and the future of its people.

  Always keep in mind the men at the head of the Kremlin only respect force and power.

  Realize how blessed we of this land have been in our 160 odd years of existence. We have not suffered the penalties of starvation for generations at a time as other peoples of other lands have done. Neither have we suffered destruction of our homes, institutions of learning, commerce and finance.

  There have been many times when I have felt that our standard of living had grown beyond reasonable proportions because we as a people have failed to appreciate the fruits and value thereof, and have become slaves to the philosophy of getting more for less or something for nothing.

  There is no doubt that this country and our civilization are on trial and the problems of the future may be God's way of making us suffer for our lack of appreciation of our way of life and the blessings bestowed on us by the Supreme Power.

  While it is an axiom in life, and has been since the beginning of the world, that suffering is the greatest developer for expanding mentality, it could become a great penalty imposed on us for our faithlessness.

  You are certain as the years go on to have many heartaches, headaches, trials, and tribulations but when the hour looks the darkest never lose faith in that Power Above.

  With faith in the Power Above you will have faith in yourself. And because of your faith your call to God in Heaven for help if needed will never go unheeded, and will bring you back to us, your family, and your fellow man for greater service when peace among men shall reign again.

  Love as always,

  Daddy

  BARBARA BUSH TO HER CHILDREN

  “Keep trying.”

  Late one night, just after the death of her brother and the birth of a grandson, and soon after leaving the White House, Barbara Bush could not sleep. She rose from her bed to write her five living children about lessons learned during her sixty-seven years. The letter was never sent, but Mrs. Bush later published her words of advice to her children in her memoir, which she dedicated “To faith, family and friends; and to George Bush, who taught me that these are the most important things in life.”

  [c. May 1993]

  . . . Faith, Family, and Friends.

  Try—and oh boy, how hard it is—to find the good in people and not the bad. I remember many years ago that I wasted so much time worrying about my mother. I suffered so because she and I had a “chemical thing.” I loved her very much, but was hurt by her. (I am sure that I hurt her a lot, too.) Grace Walker said to me once, “Think of all the lovely things about your mother . . . all the things you love and are proud of about her.” There were so many that I couldn't count them all. I think that I expected her to be perfect. Nobody is perfect. Certainly not me. So LOOK FOR THE GOOD IN OTHERS. Forget the other.

  Clara Barton, the founder and president of the Red Cross, was once reminded of a wrong a friend had done to her years earlier. “Don't you remember?” the friend asked. “No,” replied Clara firmly. “I distinctly remember forgetting that.” Not bad advice. Take a lesson from your dad. He says that when I remind him that someone has been hateful, “Isn't it better to make a friend rather than an enemy?” He's right too.

  Don't talk about money . . . either having it or not having it. It is embarrassing for others and quite frankly vulgar.

  DO NOT BUY SOMETHING THAT YOU CANNOT AFFORD. YOU DO NOT NEED IT.

  If you really need something and can't afford it . . . for heaven's sake call home. That's what family are all about.

  Do not try to live up to your neighbors. They won't look down on you if you don't have two television sets. They will look down on you if you buy things that you cannot afford and they will know it! They are only interested in their possessions, not yours.

  Be sure that you pay people back. If you have dinner at their house or they take you out, have them back, but remember you don't need the expensive thing. You can make the best spaghetti in the world. People love to come to your home. Plan ahead and it will be fun.

  Value your friends. They are your most valuable asset.

  Remember loyalty is a two-way street. It goes up and down. So be loyal to those people who are loyal to you. Your dad is the best example of two-way loyalty that I know.

  Love your children. I don't have to tell any of you that. You are the best children any two people ever had. I know you will be as lucky. Your kids are great. Dad and I love them more than life itself. I think you know that about your dad. I do also.

  Remember what Robert Fulghum says: “Don't worry that your children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you.”

  For heaven's sake enjoy life. Don't cry over things that were or things that aren't. Enjoy what you have now to the fullest. In all honesty you really only have two choices; you can like what you do OR you can dislike it. I choose to like it and what fun I have had. The other choice is no fun and people do not want to be around a whiner. We can always find people who are worse off and we don't have to look far! Help them and forget self!

  I would certainly say, above all, seek God. He will come to you if you look. There is absolutely NO down side. Please expose your children and set a good example for them by going to church. We, your dad and I, have tried to live as Christian a life as we can. We certain
ly have not been perfect. Maybe you can! Keep trying.

  APPENDIX

  Births, Deaths, Marriages, Children

  Adams, Abigail (November 22, 1744—October 28, 1810)

  m. John Adams (married October 25, 1764; deceased 1826)

  Abigail (1765–1813)

  John Quincy (1767–1848)

  Susanna (1768–1770)

  Charles (1770–1800)

  Thomas (1772–1832)

  Adams, Ansel (February 20, 1902—April 22, 1984)

  m. Virginia Best (married January 2, 1928; deceased 2000)

  Michael (1933– )

  Anne (1935– )

  Adams, John (October 30, 1735—July 4, 1826)

  m. Abigail Smith (married October 25, 1764; deceased 1810)

  Abigail (1765–1813)

  John Quincy (1767–1848)

  Susanna (1768–1770)

  Charles (1770–1800)

  Thomas (1772–1832)

  Adams, John Quincy (July 11, 1767—February 23, 1848)

  m. Louisa Catherine Johnson (married July 26, 1797; deceased May 14, 1852)

  George Washington (1801–1829)

  John (1803–1834)

  Charles Francis (1807–1886)

  Louisa Catherine (1811–1812)

  Anderson, Sherwood (September 13, 1876—March 8, 1941)

  m. Cornelia Pratt Lane (married May 16, 1904; divorced July 27, 1916)

  Robert (1907–1951)

  John (1908–1995)

  Marion (1911–unknown)

  m. Tennessee Claflin Mitchell (married July 31, 1916; divorced April 1924)

  m. Elizabeth Prall (married April 5, 1924; divorced February, 1932)

  m. Eleanor Gladys Copenhaver (married July 6, 1933)

  Audubon, John James (April 26, 1785—January 27, 1851)

  m. Lucy Bakewell (married 1808; deceased 1874)

  Victor (1809–1860)

  John (1812–1862)

  Lucy (1815–1817)

  Rose (1819–1820)

  Bell, Alexander Graham (March 3, 1847—August 2, 1922)

  m. Mabel Hubbard (married July 11, 1877; deceased 1923)

  Elsie (1878–1964)

  Marian “Daisy” Hubbard (1880–1962)

  Edward (1881–1881)

  Robert (1883–1883)

  Bradstreet, Anne (c. 1612—September 16, 1672)

  m. Simon Bradstreet (married c. 1628; deceased 1697)

  Dorothy (1633–1671/72)

  Samuel (c. 1632–1683)

  Sarah (c. 1636–1707)

  Simon (1640–1683/84)

  Hannah Ann (c. 1643–1707)

  Mercy (1647–1714)

  Dudley (1648–1702)

  John (1652–1717/18)

  Elizabeth (1662/63–unknown)

  Annie (1665–unknown)

  Bush, Barbara (June 8, 1925– )

  m. George Herbert Walker Bush (married January 6, 1945)

  George (1946– )

  Robin (1949–1953)

  John Ellis “Jeb” (1953– )

  Neil (1955– )

  Marvin (1956– )

  Dorothy “Doro” (1959– )

  Bush, George Herbert Walker (June 12, 1924– )

  m. Barbara Pierce (married January 6, 1945)

  George (1946– )

  Robin (1949–1953)

  John Ellis “Jeb” (1953– )

  Neil (1955– )

  Marvin (1956– )

  Dorothy “Doro” (1959– )

  Byrd, Richard (October 25, 1888—March 11, 1957)

  m. Marie Ames (married 1915; deceased 1974)

  Richard Jr. (1920–1988)

  Bolling (1922– )

  Katherine (1924– )

  Helen (1926–1974)

  Catlin, George (July 26, 1796—December 23, 1872)

  m. Clara B. Gregory (deceased 1845)

  [child died in 1836]

  Elizabeth Wing (1837–unknown)

  Clara Gregory (1839–unknown)

  Louise Victoria (1841–unknown)

  George, Jr. (1843–1846)

  Chase, Salmon P. (January 13, 1808—May 7, 1873)

  m. Katherine Garniss (married March 4, 1834; deceased December 1835)

  Catherine Jane “Kate” (1835–1840)

  m. Eliza Ann Smith (married September 1839; deceased September 29, 1845)

  Catherine Jane “Kate” (1840–1899)

  Elizabeth (1842–1842)

  Elizabeth (1843–1844)

  m. Sarah Bella Dunlop Ludlow (married November 6, 1846; deceased January 13, 1852)

  Janet Ralston “Nettie” (1847–1925)

  Josephine Ludlow “Zoe” (1849–1850)

  Cronyn, Hume (July 18, 1911—June 15, 2003)

  m. Emily Woodruff (married 1935; divorced 1942)

  m. Jessica Tandy (married September 27, 1942; deceased September 11, 1994)

  Susan Hawkins (Jessica Tandy's daughter from marriage to actor Jack Hawkins) (1934– )

  Christopher (1943– )

  Tandy (1945– )

  m. Susan Cooper (married 1996)

  (stepchildren Jonathan Grant and Kate Glennon)

  Douglas, William O. (October 16, 1898—January 19, 1980)

  m. Mildred Riddle (married August 16, 1923; divorced 1954)

  Mildred (1929– )

  William (1932– )

  m. Mercedes Hester Davidson (married December 14, 1954; divorced 1963)

  m. Joan Martin (married August 1963; divorced 1966)

  m. Cathleen Heffernan (married July 1966)

  Douglass, Frederick (ca. February 1817—February 20, 1895)

  m. Anna Murray (married September 15, 1838; deceased 1882)

  Rosetta (1839–1906)

  Lewis (1840–1908)

  Frederick (1842–1892)

  Charles (1844–1920)

  Annie (1849–1860)

  m. Helen Pitts (married January 24, 1884; deceased December 1, 1903)

  Du Bois, W. E. B. (February 23, 1868—August 27, 1963)

  m. Nina Gomer (married May 12, 1896; deceased 1950)

  Yolande (1900–1960)

  Burghardt (1897–1899)

  m. Shirley Graham (married February 27, 1951; deceased April 4, 1977)

  Edison, Thomas Alva (February 11, 1847—October 18, 1931)

  m. Mary Stilwell (married December 25, 1871; deceased 1884)

  Estelle (1872–1965)

  Thomas Alva, Jr. (1876–1935)

  William (1878–1937)

  m. Mina Miller (married February 24, 1886; deceased August 24, 1947)

  Theodore (1898–1992)

  Madeleine (1888–1979)

  Charles (1890–1969)

  Edwards, Jonathan (October 5, 1703—March 22, 1758)

  m. Sarah Pierpont (married July 1727; deceased 1758)

  Jerusha (1730–1748)

  Esther (1732–1758)

  Mary (1734–1807)

  Lucy (1736–1786)

  Timothy (1738–1813)

  Jonathan, Jr. (1745–1801)

  Pierpont (1750–1826)

  Einstein, Albert (March 14, 1879—April 18, 1955)

  m. Mileva Maric (married January 6, 1903; divorced 1919)

  Lieserl (February 4, 1902–?)

  Hans Albert (1904–1973)

  Eduard (1910–1965)

  m. Elsa (married June 1919; deceased 1936)

  Eliot, Charles W. (March 20, 1834—August 22, 1926)

  m. Ellen Peabody (married October 27, 1858; deceased March 13, 1869)

  Charles (1859–1897)

  Francis (1861–1861)

  Samuel (1862–1950)

  Robert (1866–1867)

  m. Grace Hopkinson (married October 30, 1877; deceased 1924)

  Fisher, M. F. K. (July 3, 1908—June 22, 1992)

  m. Alfred Young Fisher (married 1929; divorced 1937)

  m. Dillwyn Parrish (married 1937; deceased 1941)

  Anna Kennedy (1943– )

  m. Donald Friede (married May 1945; divorced 1951)

  Mar
y Kennedy (March 1946– )

  Fitzgerald, F. Scott (September 24, 1896—December 21, 1940)

  m. Zelda (married April 3, 1920; deceased March 10, 1948)

  Scottie (1921–1986)

  Franklin, Benjamin (January 6, 1706—April 17, 1790)

  m. Deborah Read (married September 1, 1730; deceased December 19, 1774)

  William (1731–1813)

  Francis Folger (1732–1736)

  Sarah “Sally” (1743–1808)

  Garrison, William Lloyd (December 10, 1805—May 24, 1879)

  m. Helen Benson (married September 4, 1834; deceased 1876)

  George Thompson (1836–1904)

  William Lloyd, Jr. (1838–1909)

  Wendell Phillips (1840–1907)

  Charles Follen (1842–1849)

  Helen Frances “Fanny” (1844–1928)

  Elizabeth Pease (1846–1848)

  Francis Jackson (1848–1916)

  Gates, Henry Louis (September 16, 1950– )

  m. Sharon Lynn Adams (married September 1, 1979)

  Maude Augusta “Maggie” (1980– )

  Elizabeth Helen-Claire “Liza” (1982– )

  Guthrie, Woody (July 14, 1912—October 3, 1967)

  m. Mary Jennings (married October 28, 1933; divorced 1945)

  Gwen (1935–1976)

  Sue (1937–1978)

  Will (1939–1962)

  m. Marjorie Greenblatt Mazia (married 1945; divorced 1953)

  Cathy Ann (1943–1947)

  Arlo (1947– )

  Joady (1948– )

  Nora (1950– )

  m. Anneke Van Kirk (married 1953; divorced 1956)

  Lorina Lynn (1954–1973)

  Hammerstein, Oscar II (July 12, 1895—August 23, 1960)

  m. Myra Finn (married August 22, 1917; divorced 1928)

  William (1918–2001)

  Alice (1921– )

  m. Dorothy Blanchard (married May 14, 1929; deceased 1987)

  James (1931–1999)

  Houston, Sam (March 2, 1793—July 26, 1863)

  m. Eliza Allen (married January 22, 1829; divorced November 30, 1833)

  m. Margaret Lea (married May 9, 1841; deceased December 3, 1867)

  Sam (1843–1894)

  Nancy (1846–1920)

  Margaret (1848–1906)

  Mary (1850–1931)

  Antoinette (1852–1932)

  Andrew Jackson (1854–1941)

  William (1858–unknown)

  Temple Lea (1860–1905)

  Howard, Moses “Moe” (June 19, 1897—May 4, 1975)

  m. Helen Schonberger (married 1925; deceased 1975)