Laura Bush: Father-in-law 'doing very well' after hospital stay

Laura Bush says her father-in-law, former President George H.W. Bush, is “doing very well” since leaving the hospital last month.

Bush, 88, had been hospitalized while fighting a bout of bronchitis. He was released in mid-January.

While delivering remarks as the keynote speaker at Monday’s Susan G. Komen for the Cure Global Women’s Cancer Summit in downtown Washington, Laura Bush said her elderly in-laws are showing her and her husband, former President George W. Bush, how to “age with grace.”

“Last summer in Maine, [Barbara Bush] walked her dogs on the beach twice a day every day,” said the former first lady. “From both of them, we have learned that all you know you have is now. So take advantage of your life as it is, and walk on the beach every chance you get.”

Bush — who was in town discussing Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon, a joint initiative that works with AIDS clinics around the world to add cervical and breast cancer treatment and screenings — also made mention of her pregnant daughter, Jenna, who works as a contributing correspondent for NBC’s “Today” show. The ex-West Wing resident quipped, “George says she is just continuing the Bush family tradition of warm relations with the media.”

After laughter from the crowd, Bush added, “Too bad that has to be a joke.” 

Komen for the Cure announced a new campaign at the event called “2.5 by 2025,” the goal of enhancing breast cancer outcomes in terms of survival and quality of life for at least 2.5 million women in low and middle-income countries by the year 2025.

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