The news that the 41st President of the United States George H.W. Bush and his wife, former First Lady Barbara Bush are both hospitalized in Houston, Texas is troubling. Given the ages (92 and 91) of the Bushes’, along with their declining health (He has Parkinson’s Disease.), it is even more worrisome. George H.W. and Barbara Bush are national treasures for their class, if not always for his policies.

Bush 41, allegedly, was not a fan of Donald Trump and, according to former Maryland Lt. Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, intended to vote for Hillary, as reported in Politico (although I don’t believe anything any Kennedy says). Since President-elect Donald Trump won, all the Bushes have reached out to him.

The Trump Inauguration is tomorrow. Bush 41 and Barbara are hospitalized. Bush 41 has pneumonia which is a complication of Parkinson’s Disease and Barbara was coughing and fatigue (at 91 years of age, who wouldn’t?). Before he was hospitalized, George H.W. Bush sent President-elect Donald Trump a letter explaining why the Bushes would not be attending the Trump Inauguration.

What did the letter say?

Could you just die with pride that we have people in our country who move with that much grace and class through life? The letter is dated January 10, 2017. At that time, George H. W. was probably unwell and tired. Still, he dictated a gracious letter and offered his help. I have tears in my eyes typing this.

The New England Bush family was raised with the old adage:

Although a real war hero, George H. W. Bush was too patrician to fire back at all the incoming he took from political opponents. I am sure he was mortified by the often vulgar and petty President-elect Trump.

Former Senator Jim Webb wrote a book called “The Fighting Scots-Irish”. I thought about that book and the fact that Donald Trump’s mother was a Scottish immigrant. Mary MacLeod did not raise her son to be a patrician. He was raised in Queens, NY and his father was a builder. A tough business anywhere, but NYC, please.

That the Bushes and the Trumps would not be besties and have brunch together is not surprising. Trump tweeted a kind response to the Bush letter.

Donald J. TrumpVerified account
‏@realDonaldTrump
Looking forward to a speedy recovery for George and Barbara Bush, both hospitalized. Thank you for your wonderful letter!

Let’s pray that George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush recover well from their current illnesses. Let’s pray that Donald Trump grows in grace and class once he is sworn in at the 45th President of the United States. I would love to see President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump visit the Bushes to pay homage to them while they are alive. That would show grace and class all around.

Victory Girls will be on top of all the Trump Inauguration news. Stay tuned.