First Lady Barbara Bush And A Stamp of Approval

Forever commemorative stamp Barbara Bush

It can be challenging to memorialize a woman who’s worn many hats in her lifetime.  To summarize the accomplishments of Barbara Pierce Bush, wife, mother and beloved Ganny would have to include her role as First Lady of the United States and recognition of her status as a NYT Best Selling author. No question Barbara Bush’s resume is impressive, but reviewing her long list of achievements could take hours.

Culturally, we share a general impression of the pearl-wearing, white haired woman from Texas who seemed to personify no-fuss New England sensibilities. But at the U.S. Post Office’s dedication ceremony of her Forever Stamp, it was her son, Former President George W. Bush who transformed an impression of Barbara Bush into a celebration of her wickedly funny spirit.

Former First Lady Barbara Bush’s Forever stamp, unveiled by Former President George W. Bush and his wife Former First Lady Laura Bush

Hilarious is the best way to describe President Bush’s playful reflections of his mom. Speaking to a crowd of family, well-wishers and Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy members, George rocked-the-room like a stand-up comedian.

6/10/2025 Former President George W. Bush unveils a Forever stamp in honor of his mother Former 1st Lady Barbara Bush

“Well, when she was mad at us, she, well… she was a, well, it rhymes with witch'”.  “Speaking publicly, I declared Laura Bush as the finest First Lady this Nation has ever had ~until I saw Mother in the front row.  Then I asked,  Mom will you settle for a tie?”  “As Mother was passing away she told me I was her favorite son,,, then she added,~ on the phone.”

In less than 10 minutes the spirit of Barbara Bush filled the party-tent with memories of all the things she loved most in life. Anecdotes of her family, garden, and dogs inspired crowd-sized belly laughs.  The comedic riff of President Bush rifled through a volume of how this remarkable woman made the lives of others better. The President’s testimonial wasn’t complete until he mentioned her enthusiastic commitment to reading as a platform that opened doors of endless opportunity for all.

Appropriately, the celebration of our Nation’s 41st First Lady was held in her Kennebunkport tribute garden. Ganny’s Garden is a rock lined space featuring a stone bench accessorized with sculptures of her signature mis-matched Keds sneakers, a book and straw hat. Pretty pathways are lined with forget-me-nots, white iris and other seasonal florals. Tucked between plantings are granite blocks lovingly engraved with the initials of her grandchildren.

Rock-steady, sentimental, open-to-all and scattered with pearls of wisdom the setting fits the spirit of this Former First Lady’s elegant Forever Stamp. If you read Ganny’s Garden the way some members of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy do, the charming quirkiness of this special place will forever echo with her love, laughter and stamp-of-approval.

Frances and Jeffrey Fisher 6/10/2025 Kennebunkport Maine with 1st edition Former First Lady Barbara Bush’s Forever Stamp

President George W.Bush 6/10/2025 in Ganny’s Garden for the unveiling of her Forever Stamp