Hilltop Academy - Flashback Friday: Our Friend W.

Nov. 7, 2008

Flashback Friday: Our Friend W.

Isn't it funny that leading up to and during a Presidential election that the actual sitting President is almost forgotten? I think it would make a funny interview-on-the-street sort of thing to find out how many uninformed people think that Mr. Obama has already moved into the White House. However, I will say that the Democratic campaign mentioned President Bush more than I've ever heard during a campaign....but they were usually referring to Senator McCain. I think it was a nickname.

Well, while this election has evoked many emotions on my part, the one I'm focusing on today is nostalgia. You see, while our current President's approval ratings plummeted over the past couple of years, he still had a soft spot in our hearts here at Hilltop Academy. Did we agree with everything he ever did or said? Of course not. Yet we admired the man that, from almost the get-go, was faced with unique and extremely difficult circumstances and held his ground...not to mention his faith.

Back when W. was just the governor of Texas and vying for the Republican nomination in early 2000, we got the chance to meet him. We were living in South Carolina at the time and heard that he would be speaking at a location not far from our house. We were on our way out of town that day, so we hemmed and hawed whether we should take the time to go hear him. We finally decided that it was once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet and show support for a potential future President, so we went. After he spoke, there was a chance to shake his hand and get pictures. Again, we wondered if it was worthwhile to stand in line and fight the crowd. Oh, and have I mentioned yet that I was almost eight months pregnant at the time with Harrison? Standing in line was not necessarily an attractive option for me. What sealed the deal was that three year-old Annaleigh was wearing a tee-shirt that Big D just got for her on a business trip to Washington that said, "Future President," and the scrapbooker in me could not pass up the poignant photo op.

We made it through the line, and here was the result of our efforts....

Our only regret looking back is that we didn't have a better camera at the time. It was a 35 mm point-and-shoot, and unfortunately the focus was more on the man over W's shoulder. After we took our shot, as W was shaking Big D's hand, we pointed out Annaleigh's shirt to him. Then several from the media began shooting pictures as well. Mr. Bush laughed, and as some music came on from the background, he danced around a little with her. As he handed her back to me, he whispered in my ear, "The Lord only knows where these pictures will end up." He also signed a copy of his campaign book and gave one to us that said, "To Annaleigh--Another Future Pres! ~George W. Bush"

So, Mr. President, if you ever stumble upon this blog in your free time, just know that we loved ya', and remember...even Abraham Lincoln's approval rating had bottomed out. Only time can tell how you will ultimately be remembered.

Do you have a flashback for us this weekend? Leave a link below and share it with us....

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Comments

Nov. 7, 2008 - Too cool.

Posted by Prodoceo

I'm with you. "W" is a good man and was a good president who led us through a terribly difficult time in American History. To lay our current problems squarely at his feet is horrible. I'm ashamed of the GOP for throwing him under the bus during the recent campaign. At worst he deserves to share the blame with the house and senate....both of which have been under democratic control for the last 4 years. Did we ever hear that during the campaign?

Anyway...neato picture!! That guy that's in focus looks scary though!!