He was jaundiced and kinda orange like Trump. But so, so cute. I remember tucking him into the Ergo and walking down to the Senior Center to vote for Pres. Obama. All the poll workers loved seeing him and cooed over him. I had voted for Hillary in the primary knowing I would be confident in my vote for him as well. And I was. I was an English and History major so I love the man. He is always referencing history and using it to make his arguments, to engage his audiences and to motivate us to keep working for a better future.
Tonight it hit me — while my 2nd grader was staying up a bit late to watch the first part of the speech in Chicago. His whole life has been the Obama Years. What a lucky kid. What a great way to learn about the world and how it functions. He’s been gaining a loose understanding or sense of governments, laws, leadership these last 8 years...forming his perceptions of our country...with Barack and Michelle Obama in power. When he’s looked up the TV or heard his voice on the radio or internet, he’s heard an orator, a talented messenger. But he’s also heard someone who can relate to a shift worker like his mom, joke and dance on Ellen and, when we need it, cry with us or for us.
It has only been in the last year that I’ve realized how much I look to Michelle and Barack as role models. That feels so silly, as an adult...who really needs a role model? But they have been that for me. They are fun, responsible, loving parents who are vocal feminists. They are inspiring to everyone in their own ways. Like all parents know, it is hard to balance work and life and raising kids still keep smiling amidst the daily shit show of life. Even harder to push past all that and serve your community. They show us over and over again why it is worth it.
I know my little boy admires President Obama greatly. His little world is undoubtedly better because of his policies. I am now ready to teach my little boy some more lessons about being a citizen, like Pres. Obama spoke about tonight. He has spent a bit of time putting together yard signs and stealing cookies from Dem events in his 8 years on this planet. Now he’ll be learning about protest, about how to act when you disagree with those in power and how we can make a difference in our community. I am forever grateful to the Obamas and I think my little man will be when he grows up too.