How the Barbara Bush cartoon took on a life of its own

JACKSON, Miss. — My phone went off. The alert read, "Former First Lady Barbara Bush has died." I was in the middle of being a dad and didn't drop what I was doing to draw a cartoon about it. That probably is why the cartoon turned out like it did. I came at it from a different angle. 

Obituary cartoons are tough. Who do you draw one for? What can you say that won't be said 1,000 times by other cartoonists? A scene at the Pearly Gates is always a popular theme.

My paper was blank.

So was my brain. 

More caffeine was necessary.

Then I thought about a story I had read about how the Bush family had suffered a horrible tragedy when their 3-year-old daughter Robin contracted leukemia and died. I'm a dad of three boys, and when I finished the article, I wanted to grab my kids and not let them go. Here was a witty, tough, protective, sharp, self-effacing lady who had been hit with unspeakable pain. I quickly sketched her being greeted by Robin. 

"Mama!" 

April 18:Barbara Bush: What you saw is what you got

Then I sketched two more ideas. They were OK, but I knew the first idea was the one I wanted to draw. My editor agreed, and I quickly drew it. Then I set it loose into the wild.

Once a cartoon leaves the drawing board, it takes on a life of its own. 

Within an hour, it landed on Jenna Bush Hager's Instagram page. Jeb Bush Jr. posted it, too. Soon Savannah Guthrie from the Today Show and Willie Giest from Morning Joe and the Today Show followed suit. My social media feeds lit up. My phone is still dinging like a slot machine. 

April 18:Barbara Bush was only one part unthreatening grandma. She had a steely, independent core.

The Today Show messaged to ask if they could use the image. Thursday morning, they used it as part of Jenna Bush Hager's beautiful tribute to her "Ganny." Savannah and Hoda both complimented the cartoon and me. Several TV stations have asked to interview me. Fox News Radio did as well. The office of President George H.W. Bush wanted to buy copies. I am giving them the original and several copies (for free).

Normally, I don't worry about how a politician reacts to one of my cartoons. This is different. It's special. Maybe it is because I recently lost my own parents. Maybe it is because I started drawing editorial cartoons during the Bush administration. Maybe it is because we felt like she was our grandmother or great aunt, too.

Actually, it's something bigger. 

Wednesday I began receiving comments and messages from parents who have lost their children. They all told me that the cartoon gave them the hope that they'd get to see their kids again. Reading some of their messages aloud to my wife, I found the room getting a little bit dusty. The stories are still coming. 

April 17:Spending a Mother's Day with Barbara Bush

Like I said, cartoons take on a life of their own once they leave the drawing board. This one has taken on a life more beautiful than I ever could have imagined. 

Marshall Ramsey is an editorial cartoonist for The (Jackson, Miss.) Clarion Ledger, a part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow Ramsey on Twitter: @MarshallRamsey