I’ll begin this by saying that I have no connection in any way to Audible, and it is merely the vehicle by which I am enjoying this true Holiday gift. I’m sure there are other ways. The platform isn’t the point, the material is.
My purpose in writing this is simply to share this information with those here who may not already have it, so that they too, may share in this gift. I am, as I write this, listening to “A Promised Land”, by President Obama. I had thought that I would likely receive this novel in print as a gift from relatives this Christmas, and I might yet, but in looking at Audible selections, I saw that the book was available there. Then I saw the magic words, “read by the author”…
I couldn’t resist. I immediately jumped at this, and am listening now. President Obama does not disappoint, naturally. I was a bit surprised though, at my reaction as I listened to him read the first few sentences, and beyond. That being that tears began spontaneously to stream down my face. Mixed emotions overwhelmed me suddenly, of missing this man being in charge of this country, and at the same time the relief of hearing his voice, knowing he is still out there, doing his best no doubt to continue to promote love, kindness, acceptance, gratitude, curiosity, character, and a myriad of other positive messages, in his humble, cool, and comforting way.
I am a 57 year old white man from South Carolina, born and raised here. Despite my admittedly dubious surroundings, and the in many ways intolerant beliefs of many in the region in which I reside and hail from, Barack Obama was and remains an inspiration to me, introduced to me by my college-aged son in 2007, who had excitedly called after hearing, in person, then candidate Obama when he was here on the campaign trail. He called after and said “Dad, I just listened to the guy that will be the next President of the United States!” He was so excited I couldn’t help but share his enthusiasm, and this led to our taking time off later on to canvas neighborhoods in Charlotte on behalf of the Obama campaign. What fun that was! And how thankful I am for the accuracy of my son’s instincts. Barack Obama is, in my view, the greatest President of my lifetime, for many more reasons than I can articulate here. When he was in the White House, I always felt comfortable that in him, there was a person in charge of our country that, even if he didn’t make the right decision each and every time, he’d damn sure do his best to, and in a selfless way, putting the country first. Of that, I never had a doubt.
Throughout his presidency, he brought this fairly tough and now craggy old southerner to tears many times, whether by the way he looked at his wife and daughters, his graciousness to strangers he met in the community, his playful kindness to children visiting the White House, or the quiet seriousness as he sat in a room, the decision obviously heavy on him, of sending young men into harm’s way to deal with an international terrorist, who had killed many Americans years before, in New York City.
And in listening to him reading his book, the tears came yet again, quickly and unabated for a bit. Oh what comfort just hearing that voice again brings, especially after the many horrors of 2020. That voice still gives me hope, in a time when hope has been in short supply. I hope it will give others here the same. Happy Holidays to you all. May you all stay safe, and healthy.