The Bush Twins Write Open Letter to Malia and Sasha
The Bush twins, Barbara and Jenna penned an open letter to Malia and Sasha Obama which was published in The Wall Street Journal. The letter has some advice for the new occupants of the White House.
Sasha and Malia, here is some advice to you from two sisters who have stood where you will stand and who have lived where you will live:
-- Surround yourself with loyal friends. They'll protect and calm you and join in on some of the fun, and appreciate the history.
-- If you're traveling with your parents over Halloween, don't let it stop you from doing what you would normally do. Dress up in some imaginative, elaborate costume (if you are like us a pack of Juicy Fruit and a Vampiress) and trick-or-treat down the plane aisle.
-- If you ever need a hug, go find Ramsey. If you want to talk football, look for Buddy. And, if you just need a smile, look for "Smiley."
-- And, a note on White House puppies--our sweet puppy Spot was nursed on the lawn of the White House. And then of course, there's Barney, who most recently bit a reporter. Cherish your animals because sometimes you'll need the quiet comfort that only animals can provide.
-- Slide down the banister of the solarium, go to T-ball games, have swimming parties, and play Sardines on the White House lawn. Have fun and enjoy your childhood in such a magical place to live and play.
-- When your dad throws out the first pitch for the Yankees, go to the game.
-- In fact, go to anything and everything you possibly can: the Kennedy Center for theater, State Dinners, Christmas parties (the White House staff party is our favorite!), museum openings, arrival ceremonies, and walks around the monuments. Just go. Four years goes by so fast, so absorb it all, enjoy it all!
It's a very nice letter, full of good wishes for the Obama girls. You can read the entire letter here. As is traditional, President Bush left a personal note for Barack Obama, tucked away in the top drawer of the president's desk in the Oval Office. The contents of the notes are private, but usually they include best wishes from the outgoing president to the new one. Outgoing President Ronald Reagan famously wrote to incoming President H.W. Bush "Don't let the turkeys get you down." Back in the day, a "turkey" was a more polite name for a jerk. It was sage advice.
Update 1-24-09: You can listen to the Bush twins read the letter here.
