美国前总统小布什用泪水和幽默赞颂父亲老布什
几名美国士兵小心翼翼地抬着老布什的灵柩从国会大厦出来
当地时间12月5日，美国前总统老布什的葬礼在华盛顿国家大教堂举行，老布什于上周五在位于得克萨斯州的家中去世，享年94岁。大约有3000人参加了葬礼，超过5万民众在街道边为他送别。包括特朗普、奥巴马、克林顿、吉米-卡特等美国现任以及前总统也都来到了现场。
美国总统特朗普夫妇和在世的所有前总统均参加了布什的葬礼
小布什在葬礼上所致的悼词感人至深，在近13分钟的时间里，他用幽默和泪水回忆父亲的往事，赞颂老布什是“一个伟大、高尚的人，是儿子、女儿所能拥有的最好的父亲” 。小布什结束致辞时泪流满面，他提到了与父亲最后的对话：“我爱你，爸爸。”“我也爱你。”以下是悼词全文：
THE FULL TRANSCRIPT OF GEORGE W. BUSH'SMEMORIAL FOR HIS FATHER （小布什悼词全文）
Distinguished guests, including our Presidents and First Ladies, government officials, foreign dignitaries, and friends; Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro, and I and our families thank you all forbeing here.
尊敬的来宾，总统先生和第一夫人们，政府官员，外国友人，朋友们；杰布、尼尔、多罗和我本人、以及我们的家人感谢你们大驾光临。
I once heard it said of man that the ideais to die young as late as possible. At age 85, a favorite pastime of George H.W. Bush was firing up his boat, the Fidelity, and opening up the three 300 horsepower engines to fly, joyfully fly across the Atlantic with the Secret Service boats straining to keep up.
我曾经听到过这样一种说法，人活得越长越好，而且过世的时候依然童心未泯。在我父亲85岁高龄的时候，最喜欢消磨时间的一个方式就是开快船，他开足那艘冠名“忠诚”的船全部300马力，在大西洋上飞一样地驰骋，而安保人员只能驾船紧追其后。
At age 90, George H.W. Bush parachuted out of an aircraft and landed on the grounds of St. Anne's by the Sea inKennebunkport, Maine, the church where his mom was married and where heworshipped often. Mother liked to say he chose the location just in case the chute didn't open.
到90岁时，我父亲依然从一架飞机中跳伞而出，降落在缅因Kennebunkport镇海边的圣安妮教堂，这里是我祖母的婚礼举办地，也是我父亲经常去礼拜的地方。母亲常常说，父亲之所以特意挑选这个降落地点，就是为了以防万一伞包无法打开（可以就地安葬）。
In his 90s, he took great delight when hisclosest pal, James A. Baker, smuggled a bottle of Grey Goose vodka into hishospital room. Apparently it paired well with the steak Baker had delivered from Morton's.
90岁，有一天父亲正在住院，他的老朋友詹姆斯贝克（前国务卿），偷偷把一瓶灰鹅牌伏特加带进病房，这让他兴奋不已。显然这酒与贝克让默顿餐馆送来的牛排形成了绝配。
To his very last days, dad's life was instructive. As he aged he taught us how to grow with dignity, humor and kindness. When the good lord finally called, how to meet him with courage and with the joy of the promise of what lies ahead.
直到他最后时刻，父亲的生活还为我们带来启发。随着年事渐高，他教我们如何伴随着尊严，幽默和善良地成长。当慈爱的上帝最终来叩门的时候，应当怎样充满勇气，带着对天国的期盼和喜乐，迎接死亡的来临。
One reason dad knew how to die young is that he almost did it, twice. When he was a teenager, a staph infection nearly took his life. A few years later he was alone in the Pacific on a life raft, praying that his rescuers would find him before the enemy did. God answered those prayers. It turned out he had other plans for George H.W. Bush.
我父亲在年轻时就有过两次大难不死的经历。十几岁的时候，一次葡萄球菌感染几乎要了他的命。几年后，他躺在一个救生筏里在太平洋上飘荡，一边祷告希望救生人员先于敌人发现他。显然神对父亲的祷告有所回应，并对他的命运另有安排。
For dad's part, I think those brushes with death made him cherish the gift of life, and he vowed to live every day to the fullest.
从我父亲的角度，我想这些与死神插肩而过的体验让他更为珍惜生命的可贵，他发誓要把每一天活到极致。
Dad was always busy, a man in constant motion, but never too busy to share his love of life with those around him. He taught us to love the outdoors. He loved watching dogs flush a covey. He loved landing the illusive striper. And once confined to a wheel chair, he seemed happiest sitting in his favorite perch on the back porch at Walker's Point contemplating the majesty of the Atlantic.
父亲总是非常忙，一直处于行动状态。但是，无论怎么忙，他也会与周围的人分享对生活的热爱。他教会我们热爱户外运动，他喜欢看爱犬追逐被惊飞的野鸟，他爱钓狡猾的鲈鱼。即使受限于轮椅而行动不便，他也彷佛非常享受静坐在沃克海角的码头、沉浸于大西洋恢宏之中的时光。
The horizons he saw were bright and hopeful. He was a genuinely optimistic man, and that optimism guided his children and made each of us believe that anything was possible. He continually broadened his horizons with daring decisions.
他极目远眺明之处充满了光明和希望。父亲是真正乐观之人。这种乐观主义也传递到下一代，让我们每一个人都坚信万事皆有可能。一直以来，他都用无数果断的决定拓展自己的世界。
He was a patriot. After high school he put college on hold and became a navy fighter pilot as World War II broke out.
他是一位爱国者。高中刚刚毕业，由于二战爆发他暂停大学计划而成为海军飞行员。
Like many of his generation, he never talked about his service until his time as a public figure forced his hand. Welearned of the attack, the mission completed, the shootdown. We learned of thedeath of his crew mates whom he thought about throughout his entire life. And we learned of the rescue.
父亲和很多同代人一样，他不喜欢宣扬自己为国而战的经历。但是，作为公众人物他的事迹还是广为人知。我们得知他执行攻击，完成使命，然后被击落。我们了解他的机组成员壮烈牺牲，以及他穷其一生对于战友逝去的思索。我们也获悉他的最终获救。
And then another audacious decision; hemoved his young family from the comforts of the East coast to Odessa, Texas. He and Mom adjusted to their arid surroundings quickly. he was a tolerant man. after all, he was kind and neighborly to the women with whom he, Mom and I shared a bathroom in our small duplex. Even after he learned their profession, ladies of the night.
而另一个大胆的决策：他把自己的小家庭从舒适的东部搬至陌生的德州奥德赛。他和母亲很快就习惯了周边荒凉的环境。为了节省家用，我家当年和另几位女士合住一栋独立房子，我母亲和我需要共用一个卫生间。甚至当得知这些女士从事的是“特种”职业后，我父亲依然以善良和蔼的态度与其相处，他是个非常宽容大度的人。
Dad could relate to people from all walks of life. He was an empathetic man. He valued character over pedigree, and he was no cynic. He looked for the good in each person and he usually found it.
父亲具有与不同身份的人打交道的能力，他注重别人感受、做到推己及人。他重品格而非背景，从不愤世嫉俗，他还善于从每个人身上寻找优点，并且总能看到他人的闪光点。
Dad taught us that public service is noble and necessary, that one can serve with integrity and hold true to the importantvalues like faith and family. He strongly believed that it was important togive back to the community and country in which one lived. He recognized thatserving others enriched the giver's soul. To us, his was the brightest of athousand points of light.
父亲教导我们为公众服务是崇高也是必要的，从事公共服务要为人正直，并且对信仰和家庭这类的重要价值观问心无愧。他坚信回馈我们生活的社区和国家无比重要。他意识到为他人服务就是滋养自己的灵魂。对我们而言，父亲是“闪耀繁星”中最亮的那一颗。译者注：“闪耀繁星（the brightest of a thousands points of light）”是老布什成立的非盈利机构，旨在提倡志愿者服务。
When he lost, he shouldered the blame. He accepted that failure is a part of living a full life. but taught us never tobe defined by failure. He showed us how setbacks can strengthen.
当失败时，他一力担责。作为完整人生的一部分，父亲接受失败。但他告诉我们，永远不要让失败定义你的人生。他用亲身经历向我们展示挫折如何转化为坚韧。
None of his disappointments could compare with one of life's greatest tragedies, the loss of a young child.
他所有的不如意，都无法与其人生最大的悲剧相提并论：年幼爱女的过世。
Jeb and I were too young to remember the pain and agony he and Mom felt when our 3-year-old sister died. We only learned later that Dad, a man of quiet faith, prayed for her daily. He was sustained by the love of the Almighty and the real and enduring love of her Mom. Dad always believed that one day he would hug his precious Robin again.
我们有个姐妹，早在三岁就已过世，这给父母带来深重的痛苦和绝望，杰布和我当时太小还记不住这一切。我们后来知道，父亲这个把信仰深藏内心的人，天天为她祷告。只有依靠着神和妈妈真正持久的爱，他才能坚持下来。父亲总是相信，有一天他会再次拥抱他的爱女罗宾。
He loved to laugh, especially at himself. He could tease and needle but never out of malice. He placed great value on a good joke. That's why he chose Simpson to speak.
他喜欢大笑，尤其是笑话自己。他喜欢开玩笑，但绝无恶意。他特别欣赏有趣的笑话。 这也是他选择辛普森参议员致悼词的原因。
On e-mail he had a circle of friends withwhom he shared or received the latest jokes. His grading system for the quality of the joke was classic George Bush. The rare 7s and 8s were considered huge winners, most of them off-color.
他有一个电子邮件群组，专门用来在朋友间分享最新的笑话。对此有一个经典的乔治·布什笑话质量评价体系：能得到罕见的7分和8分的笑话将会脱颖而出，其中大多数都不含色情成分。
George Bush knew how to be a true and loyal friend. He nurtured and honored his many friendships with a generous and giving soul. There exists thousands of handwritten notes encouraging or sympathizing or thanking his friends and acquaintances.
乔治·布什知道如何成为一个纯正和忠诚的朋友。父亲的慷慨大度和真诚相待，使他和各界友人成为至交。他曾经亲笔为朋友和熟人写下成千上万的信函，表达鼓励、同情或者感激之情。
He had an enormous capacity to give of himself. Many a person would tell you that Dad became a mentor and a fatherfigure in their life. He listened and he consoled. He was their friend. I think of Don Rhodes, Taylor Blanton, Jim Nantz, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and perhaps the unlikeliest of all, the man who defeated him, Bill Clinton. My siblings and I refer to the guys in this group as brothers from other mothers.
他全心全意地倾情付出。很多人都会告诉你，父亲是他们生活中的导师和长辈。他乐于倾听，善于抚慰。他的好朋友中，除了唐·罗德斯，泰勒·布兰顿，吉姆·南茨，阿诺德·施瓦辛格，最不可思议的是，还有后来在总统竞选中击败他的比尔·克林顿。对我和兄弟姐妹们来说，父亲的这些朋友亲如自己的异姓兄弟。
He taught us that a day was not meant to be wasted. He played golf at a legendary pace. I always wonder why he insisted onspeed golf; he's a good golfer. Here's my conclusion. He played fast so he could move on to the next event, to enjoy the rest of the day, to expend his enormous energy, to live it all. He was born with just two settings, full throttle, then sleep.
他告诉我们要珍惜毎一天。 父亲是一个优秀的高尔夫球手：他以异乎寻常的速度玩高尔夫球，我总搞不明白他的高尔夫球为什么打得那么快。我的结论是，打得快才能留出时间参加下一个活动，享受一天中剩余的时光，消耗自己旺盛的精力，不让一天虚度。他生来只设有两种模式：全力以赴，倒头大睡。
He taught us what it means to be a wonderful father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was firm in his principles and supportive as we began to seek our own ways. He encouraged and comforted but never steered. We tested his patience. I know I did. But he always responded with the great gift of unconditional love.
他告诉我们怎样才能成为一个好父亲，好祖父和好曾祖父。他有自己坚守的原则，当我们开始寻求自己的方式时他予以支持。他鼓励和帮助，但从不尝试操纵我们。我知道我们挑战过他的耐心。但对此他总是用无条件的爱进行回应。
Last Friday when I was told he had minutes to live, I called him. The guy answered the phone, said "I think he can hear you but he hasn't said anything for most of the day." I said,"Dad, I love you and you've been a wonderful father," and the last words he would ever say on Earth were, "I love you too."
上周五，当得知他不久于世时，我打电话给他。接电话的人说：“我觉得他能听见你，但他己经一整天没怎么说话了。” 我说，“爸爸，我爱你，你是一个最好的父亲，”他留在世上最后一句话是，“我也爱你。”
To us he was close to perfect. but not totally. His short game was lousy. He wasn't exactly Fred Astaire on the dance floor.The man couldn't stomach vegetables, especially broccoli. And by the way, he passed these genetic defects along to us.
对我们来说，他虽然还不完美但已相当接近。他不善于打短距进球。论跳舞也比弗雷德·阿斯泰尔所差甚远。他不喜欢吃素，尤其讨厌西兰花。顺便说一句，他把这些基因问题也遗传给了我们。
Finally, every day of his 73 years of marriage, Dad taught us all what it means to be a great husband. He married his sweetheart. He adored her. He laughed and cried with her. He was dedicated to her totally.
最后，在长达73年的婚姻生活中，父亲每天都以身作则地教导我们如何成为一个好丈夫。他迎娶了自己的初恋。他始终敬慕她，陪伴她欢笑和痛哭，对她忠心耿耿。
In his old age dad enjoyed watching police show reruns, the volume on high, all the while holding Mom's hand. After Mom died, Dad was strong, but all he really wanted to do was hold Mom's hand again.
上了年纪的时候，父亲总是紧握母亲的手，调足电视机音量，反复观看警察节目。老妈去世后，老爸表现得颇为坚强，但我们知道，他内心所愿就是再牵妈妈的手。
Of course Dad taught me another special lesson. He showed me what it means to be a President who serves with integrity, leads with courage and acts with love in his heart for the citizens of our country.
当然父亲还教给我特别一课。他身体力行地向我展示如何成为一个以廉正服务、以勇气领导、以爱心对待国民的总统。
When the history books are written, they will say that George H.W. Bush was a great President of the United States, a diplomat of unmatched skill, a Commander in Chief of formidable accomplishment,and a gentleman who executed the duties of his office with dignity and honor.
将要载入史册的是，乔治·H·W·布什是一位伟大的美国总统，一位无与伦比的外交家，一位成就显赫的总司令，一位以尊严和荣誉履行自己职责的绅士。
In his inaugural address the 41st Presidentof the United States he said this: "We cannot hope only to leave our children a bigger car, a bigger bank account, we must hope to give them a sense of what it means to be a loyal friend, a loving parent, a citizen who leaves his home, his neighborhood and town better than he found it. What do we want the men and women who work with us to say? That we were more driven to succeed than anyone around us or that we stopped to ask if a sick child had gotten better and stayed a moment there to trade a word of friendship?"
在第41届总统的就职典礼上，他说：“我们不能仅希望为我们的孩子留下更大的汽车和更多的金钱，我们必须寄望于教导他们如何作为一个忠诚的朋友，慈爱的父母，以及把自己的社区和家乡建设得更加美好的公民。我们希望与之共事的人们如何评价我们？是我们比他人更渴望成功，还是我们会驻足问候一个病中的儿童，停留片刻与我们友人交谈？”
Well, Dad, we're going to remember you for exactly that and much more, and we're going to miss you. Your decency,sincerity, and kind soul will stay with us forever. So through our tears, let us know the blessings of knowing and loving you, a great and noble man. The best father a son or daughter could have. And in our grief, let us smile knowing that Dad is hugging Robin and holding Mom's hand again.
好了，老爸，我们会一直想念你。你体面、真诚、善良的灵魂将永远留在我们心中。透过泪水，我们明白这是多么大的幸运让我们认识和爱戴你，一个伟大而高尚的人。一个孩子可能拥有的最好父亲。我们悲痛中亦感欣慰，因为知道老爸终于能够再度拥抱罗宾，又一次牵着老妈的手。
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作者：乔治·布什，本文版权归属权利人所有。
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