Remembering the Time I Almost Bumped into Barbara Bush in Maine

Former first lady Barbara Bush passed away Tuesday, April 17, at the age of 92. She suffered from congestive heart failure and COPD and recently decided to end treatment, according to the Washington Post. She was married to former President George H. W. Bush for 73 years and had a bunch of kids and grand-kids.

As is widely known, the Bush family had their compound in Kennebunkport, Maine, and many times when they stayed there, the locals would interact with Mr. and Mrs. Bush when they were out and about.

When I lived in Maine, we used to go to Kennebunkport many times for various reasons - shopping, the great restaurants and of course, to visit Walker's Point.

I remember one time we stopped at a local convenience store and the owner of the shop said that we just missed Mr. and Mrs. Bush. They came in for a few snacks and to look around the gift shop. The owner of the store went on and on about how nice they were. She was never a Bush supporter, however, she instantly changed her mind about the kind of people they were.

This shop owner realized that regardless of political affiliation, Mr. and Mrs. Bush were just regular folk. They really were. No one knows that better than the residents of Maine and Texas, where they claim their homestead.

Our hearts go out to the Bush family, not only her five children, but her 17 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.