Yesterday, I watched Michelle Obama land in Denver. I watched Michelle greet the crowd on the tarmac. I really watched. What did I see?
Compassion. Warmth. Grace. I could not hear what was being said. But, I am a great believer in body language. Michelle is comfortable with people. She hugs. She touches.
And, then she communicates. Face to face. Close. Utterly natural.
This is the new face that our country needs. We need a First Lady that is brilliant. But, we also need a First Lady that shows us how to be compassionate, warm and graceful with each other.
Michelle meets my standard of what a strong, loving woman should be. Let me introduce you to my first First Lady.
Big Red was born into a poor, uneducated Southern family. I don't know what life influences created the woman she became. She married a very nice man. During the Depression they ran a small store. Big Red stepped into this role as a natural. She took the lead as the business owner. They survived the Depression. She decided to turn the store into a fabric store. Her business sense grew that store. She made a fortune.
As good as she was at business, she was even greater as a person. Her employees worked for her for twenty or thirty years. They were a part of her life. As a child I did think they were a part of our family. Big Red was the leader of our extended family. Whenever there was a family problem the first response was to consult her. Whenever there was a teen going through a tough time they were sent to her.
I owe her my life. I went through a dark time. I was sent to her. By showing me her strength, her compassion and her grace I was able to see spring. With her firm, gentle words she pointed me in the right direction.
This strong woman was a millionaire. She had a woman's only stock market club. They did it for fun. She lived in the same two bedroom house for over forty years. A friend asked her why she didn't go build a big house. She told them not to visit her if they did not think her house was good enough.
This is the woman that taught me that it is fine for a woman to be strong. But,she also taught me that grace, warmth and compassion are a woman's greatest strength. She taught me that a woman's hand is capable of work. But, that hand is strongest when it is kind.
I saw that in Michelle Obama. I saw that strong hand. I saw that kind hand.
(And, Big Red, whenever I serve a guest, I never forget the napkin.)