Sisters First: Stories from Our Wild and Wonderful Life

by Jenna Bush Hager

One time, as we were traveling down a major street in Washington, I was looking out the window and all of a sudden I spotted a high school friend, Blair. He was standing with the other protesters holding a sign against the war. I wasn’t surprised to see him there; although we had never talked politics in high school, I had always known his views. But suddenly, as I saw him, he saw my dad and me. Simultaneously, Blair lowered his sign and started smiling and waving as my dad and I smiled and waved back, mouthing “Hi, Blair.” It was exactly like running into an old friend, which is in fact what happened. It is a reminder that in any debate there are humans on all sides.

I really love what Barbara is saying here! She is talking about how she sees someone she knows in DC protesting the war in Iraq that her father just started. After making eye contact with this person he lowers is sign and smiles and waves at the president and his daughter that he knew. It is a moment where being a human and being kind despite disagreeing with him about the war in Iraq. You don’t see much of the humility or kindness in the America we live in today. It’s very sad.