As Governor Hunt spoke about Barbara Buchanan during her memorial service this month, something he said took me back many years. And reminded me of a lesson that Barbara taught by example.

Barbara was Hunt’s administrative assistant through his four years as Lieutenant Governor, first eight years as Governor, eight years in a law firm and then much of his final two terms.

The Governor mentioned, among other things, Barbara’s endless patience with people who called or came to the Governor’s Office in hopes of seeing him, talking to him or at least getting a message to him.

No matter who it was, a friend or a stranger, a powerful legislator or a nervous citizen, Barbara treated them all with kindness.

She was, as the Governor said, “nice.” As Pastor Nancy Petty said, “a true Southern lady.”

Back then, I was a hard-charging, 20-something press secretary. I remembered how I felt when Barbara was squeezing someone in to see the Governor “just for a minute.” Or get them on the phone with him.

I was impatient. Why waste time on that? We’ve got big things to do, with pressing deadlines.

Now I realize that what Barbara was doing was more important than what I was doing.

She was making sure that somebody got heard and got some attention from their Governor.

She was being nice. Something you don’t find much in politics today.

Thank you, Barbara.