To be a character who feels a deep emotion one must go into the memory's vault and mix in a sad memory from one's own life.
The sound of laughter is like the vaulted dome of a temple of happiness.
The Romans were not inventors of the supporting arch but its extended use in vaults and intersecting barrel shapes and domes is theirs.
Say what you want to say about the rest of his presidency including his tone-deaf response to Katrina and a war waged in Iraq on false pretenses Bush connected with Americans in the aftermath of 9/11 because he looked as frail and unforgiving as we felt.