Getting dumped is never fun, but don’t misunderestimate the power of a strong, eloquent, Yale-graduate role model!
I’ve always been a fan of George W Bush. Growing up in Providence, good role models were hard to find. My prodigal college-student-babysitters, who led nonprofits at sixteen, had the kindest of dispositions, and knew five languages were… well… they were idiots. W’s toddler-like logic drew 3-year-old me in, and his graceful handling of hurricane Katrina taught me the importance of a go-with-the-flow attitude. My first words were “let Rumsfeld stay!” and despite my liberal upbringing, I knew W was misleading our country in the right direction.
Alas, I lost my love for 43 after getting lost in the reality-based community of middle school. Buried under my Hamilton phase and burgeoning body dysmorphia, I lost the bright guiding light of that dim-sighted Yalie. But last week, I found him again after getting my heart stomped on by the first boy I loved.
George W’s cerebral instincts for the greater global good and his eloquent turns of phrase remind me every day that love and war are part of life, and there is beauty in suffering, especially when it’s not your own. After rearranging my room, changing the sheets, buying a new desk lamp, and giving former-boyfriend his stuff back, I tearfully painted some motivation on my wall.
“Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we.” —Washington, D.C., August 5, 2004
This one resonates. Not because former-boyfriend is my enemy or because he hurt me intentionally but mostly because all good nations participate in self-destructive behavior which means it’s okay that I’m looking through my camera roll at 2 AM crying because I don’t understand what makes me unlovable. Go America, Go Me!
“I think we agree, the past is over.” – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on meeting with John McCain; May 10, 2000
I like this one because it’s short and also he said it to McCain and the McCain shrine in my closet has kept me going when W’s emotional depth overwhelms me. That being said, I think this is a bit of a reach to apply to my breakup. Usually, W makes perfect, perfect sense and while I would agree that the past is over – I mean I’m 19 this year and was 18 last year – I think this one is definitely the hardest to apply to my breakup. Haha.
“People say, how can I help on this war against terror? How can I fight evil? You can do so by mentoring a child, by going into a shut-in’s house and say I love you.” —Washington, D.C., September 19, 2002
This one is a good reminder of the importance of caring for those around you. Tag yourself! LOL! I’m the shut-in’s house please tell me you love me please oh God please tell me what makes me unlovable I will change myself oh man. HAHA LMAO oh george!
This week has been one of the hardest yet. But I take heart in seeing how W was able to shake off some little mistakes that he made in office, and was able to become a legend who continues to inspire millions of teenage girls. Back in 2000, when he famously asked, “is our children learning?” he had no idea that his raw intellect would change so many lives. Thanks to him, we can answer is yes!
So fool me once, former boyfriend, that’s a shame on you. But fool me? You can’t get fooled again. Because you’re the fool. It’s an old saying.