Bush’s wife, Laura, used the term “afterlife” to describe life after the presidency as documented by Bush in his book, “Decision Points,” published after he left the White House. Asked by interviewer Peter Robinson of the Hoover Institution what Bush wanted to accomplish in his “afterlife,” Bush said contrary to the name, the “afterlife” has been “awesome.” …

“I don’t want to undermine our president, whoever is president, and a former president can do that, and I think it’s bad for the presidency itself. And so I’m pretty content. The afterlife – really what she should have said was we’re now getting ready to start a new chapter in our life – afterlife being the afterlife of the presidency – but afterlife kind of gives the sense that you’re dead. And I have found that life after the presidency is awesome,” said Bush. …

“Well the other person who has served as a role model for me for a long time was George H. W. Bush, who famously said once you leave the stage you stay off the stage, and I thought long and hard about that. And decided that not being on the stage was something I am comfortable with,” said Bush.