Fatherhood

Just around the time of the inauguration of President Obama, the daughters of outgoing President Bush wrote an open letter to the Obama daughters. They gave all kinds of advice to the girls about enjoying all that life in the White House can offer. The Bush twins encouraged the girls to go to ballgames, receptions and cultural events. The letter extolled all the blessings of being a president's daughter. But, at the end of the letter there was an intensely personal and touching admonition. Jenna and Barbara wrote:
"And finally, although it's an honor and full of so many extraordinary opportunities, it isn't always easy being a member of the club you are about to join. Our dad, like yours, is a man of great integrity and love—a man who always put us first. We still see him now as we did when we were 7: as our loving daddy. ... He is our father, not the sketch in a paper or part of a skit on TV. Many people will think they know him, but they have no idea how he felt the day you were born, the pride he felt on your first day of school, or how much you both love being his daughters. So here is our most important piece of advice: remember who your dad really is."