Former first lady and mother to former president George W. Bush passed away from COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) on Tuesday April 17.  She will be missed by many but this article is not going to be another sad news report. At 92 years old, Barbara Bush lived a long, happy, and successful life.

Not only was Barbara married to a powerful man, she raised a powerful man, but she herself was a powerful person herself and influenced many. Since Barbara was very little she had a passion for literature, she created a foundation to provide material for parents to better their lives in hopes to give their children a better life as well.  As homage to her love for literacy her husband of 73 years, George HW Bush, wore socks with books on them to her funeral. (picture below)  Barbara and her husband first met when she was just 16 years old at a dance, just a little over 18 months later they were engaged. He was her first kiss.  While George HW Bush was overseas during WWII, he named three of his planes after her; Barbara I, Barbara II, and Barbara III. After ten years of marriage, the Bushes gave life to 7 children, one our former president and another a candidate for our last election, talk about wonder genes.

Barbara’s 92 years of life was spent well.  She believed in: don’t take advantage of your time, go out and live. “At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a child, or a parents.” (Barbara Bush)

To donate or visit her foundation click the link here.

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Sources: barbarabush.org/, Wikipedia, businessinsider.com