As I watched the final speech of President Barack Obama, my throat couldn’t help but join my eyes in an ensemble of grief and sadness. Having never met the man or stepped foot in American soil I could only admire from a screen as he gave his last address as President. It was emotionally moving. The tears halted at my lids and would not give way until he unashamedly applauded and praised the First Lady, his wife, the floods then took over.
“Michelle LaVaughn Robinson, girl of the south side. For the past 25 years you have not only been my wife and mother of my children, you have been my best friend. You took on a role you didn’t ask for, and you made it your own with grace and with grit and with style, and with good humour. You made the White House a place that belongs to everybody, and a new generation sets its sights higher because it has you as a role model. You have made me proud and you have made the country proud”
– President Barack Obama
I focus my attention not on his accomplishments as the POTUS but on his public affection for his wife and children. Watching the Obama’s has been a far better reality TV than the real housewives of Atlanta or keeping up with whoever has the latest silicon implants. There is no fakery, shade throwing or backstabbing, just an ordinary family in an extra-ordinary position. Their love and determination to see others succeed in life ahead of their own has captured my heart.
I am grateful that a man in the most powerful position in the world can still humble himself to deluge his wife with compliments. Once again I place my hope in knowing that successful men are capable of publicly expressing their emotions towards someone they love, it isn’t a myth that only exists in Hollywood. It has been a privilege to live in a time and place where I could see this happen and I hope it encourages us all to shower someone we love with a little bit of PDA.
(image source: White House Flickr)
Inspiration….Obama’s
Topic….Relationships
Opinion….Stated
Beneath The Canvas 