BOOK REVIEW: Sisters First: Stories from Our Wild and Wonderful Life

Title: Sisters First: Stories from Our Wild and Wonderful Life

Authors: Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush

Born into a political dynasty, Jenna and Barbara Bush grew up in the public eye. As small children, they watched their grandfather become president; just twelve years later they stood by their father’s side when he took the same oath. They spent their college years watched over by Secret Service agents and became fodder for the tabloids, with teenage mistakes making national headlines. But the tabloids didn’t tell the whole story... - Excerpt from the cover of Sisters First

Sisters, especially twin sisters, have a connection unlike any other. The bond between Jenna and Barbara is beautifully expressed throughout this book. They were instant friends, inseparable throughout much of their lives. When they were little, they always had a playmate; starting at a new middle school, they never walked in alone. As adults, they still have each others backs. They turn to each other in their times of need, but also are there for each other through life's gleeful moments too.

The book is laid out as a back and forth between Jenna and Barbara as they share their different perspectives on various events throughout their lives.

The Power of a Name

Jenna and Barbara were both named after their grandmothers: Jenna named after her maternal grandmother (their Grammee) Jenna Hawkins Welch, and Barbara Pierce after their paternal grandmother, First Lady Barbara Bush (their Ganny). Can you image living up to the name of Barbara Bush? She says she always had a hell of a time trying to order pizza over the phone.

Despite their last name, both women have made their own waves in their respective fields. Jenna is a correspondent on NBC's Today Show and an editor-at-large for Southern Living. Barbara is the CEO and co-founder of Global Health Corps, an organization that mobilizes a global community of young leaders to build the movement for health equity. Both intelligent, strong-willed women paving the way to a better world for future generations to come.

Coping with Heartbreak

Throughout the book, the Bush twins as they are so often referred to, share many calamitous experiences. They talk of the heartbreak of watching their Pa (Harold Welch) decline as dementia starting to take over and watching their Grammee never skip a beat as she continued to love and care for him; the earth-shattering news of a high school boyfriend taking his own life, and how moments before doing so, he tried to call Barbara but because she wasn't feeling well, she didn't answer; and the life-changing attacks of September 11th, and the following days that led to war. Miscarriage, failed relationships. No matter the obstacle life threw at them, they always had each other to rely on for comfort.

Reflections of War and Politics

Just because they come from a political family does not mean they always share the same political beliefs. Barbara is very open about her support of same-sex marriage. She shared the discussions she had at the family dinner table with her father about her stance on the issue that he very publicly opposed. She shared that while they don't always agree, her parents are always supportive of her right to have her own opinions.

The women also share their reflections on war and the backlash they have received just because of who their father is. Do they believe going to war was the right answer? They don't say. But they do say that they believe their father made the decision with the country's best interests at heart. And that he lives with that decision to this day.

Speaking of their father, did you know that GW. is an artist? He started out with drawings and soon transitioned to oil paints. The coolest part? His subjects are wounded warriors. He takes the time to not only capture their physical features, but who they are through conversation, to understand them. He listens to and talks with them about PTS. (He wants to permanently remove the "D" of "Disorder" from PTSD.) "We can't pretend someone is fine when they aren't." (Bush, pg. 139) GW's Portraits of Courage A Commander in Chief's Tribute to America's Warriors is a vibrant collection of oil paintings and stories by President George W. Bush honoring the sacrifice and courage of America's military veterans, according to the George W. Bush Presidential Center website. You can also purchase a copy of the book with proceeds donated to the George W. Bush Presidential Center and its Military Service Initiative.

Sharing Their Cringe-Worthy Moments

The book isn't all gloom and doom and seriousness. They share fun, sometimes cringe-worthy memories too. Ditching their SS agents; a mistaken marriage proposal (yikes!); and being called out by "The Enforcer," Ganny Bush, for a "juvenile display" during a family tennis match. Ouch. And of course, the unforgettable moment where Jenna's water breaks at her baby shower and her husband thinks the sisters are pulling a prank on him. GET IN THE CAB! She's having a BABY!!!

Growing up, I always had the image in my head of the "wild Bush twins," but I could never really remember why. They have a chapter related to that lasting label, titled "Two Sisters Walk into a Mexican Restaurant..." The two 19-year-olds went into a local Chuy's and Jenna tried to use her fake ID. The manager freaks out, and boom, cops are called, the media blows a gasket, and now it's "forever a line in [their] respective Wikipedia entries..."

Conclusion: I'd Read it Again

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and learning more about not only Jenna and Barbara, but the whole Bush clan. I’ve always been a fan of the Texas family so, it was a lot of fun getting to hear from his daughters’ perspectives.

Some of my favorite parts of the book include old emails and texts they have received from various people in their family. The emails from their "Gampy," George H.W. Bush, are the sweetest.

My favorite take away from the book comes from the last chapter entry from Barbara. The excerpt reads:

As part of my work with Global Health Corps, we ask our fellows to share why they do this work, why they want to be in global health. I will never forget one Burundian fellow's answer. Alida grew up with several brothers and sisters; many of them were the children of friends that her parents had taken in during years of bloody civil war. They treated all the children equally, regardless of whether they were related. On birthdays in her family, rather than being showered with presents and treated as someone special, you were asked to make the case of why , in the previous year, you had lived the best year that you could. You did get a cake, but first you had to share what you had done for the other people and how you contributed. (Bush, pg. 234)

What a graceful way look at life. With my 32rd birthday just around the corner, I too will be reflecting on the past year and wondering what I've done to live the best year that I could, and what contributions I've made to help the world be a better place. I hope you will do the same.

XOXO

Lauren

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