Parade magazine has published a very sweet, very poignant letter that President-elect Barack Obama wrote for his young daughters Malia and Sasha. In Obama letters to his daughters, he explains to them why he decided to take their family on the extraordinary journey to the White House and shares his hopes for their future and for the future of all children in the US. Here is the Obama family on the cover of Parade magazine and an excerpt from his letter to his daughters:
“When I was a young man, I thought life was all about me—about how I’d make my way in the world, become successful, and get the things I want. But then the two of you came into my world with all your curiosity and mischief and those smiles that never fail to fill my heart and light up my day. And suddenly, all my big plans for myself didn’t seem so important anymore. I soon found that the greatest joy in my life was the joy I saw in yours. And I realized that my own life wouldn’t count for much unless I was able to ensure that you had every opportunity for happiness and fulfillment in yours. In the end, girls, that’s why I ran for President: because of what I want for you and for every child in this nation. I want all our children to go to schools worthy of their potential—schools that challenge them, inspire them, and instill in them a sense of wonder about the world around them. I want them to have the chance to go to college—even if their parents aren’t rich. And I want them to get good jobs: jobs that pay well and give them benefits like health care, jobs that let them spend time with their own kids and retire with dignity … I hope both of you will take up that work, righting the wrongs that you see and working to give others the chances you’ve had. Not just because you have an obligation to give something back to this country that has given our family so much—although you do have that obligation. But because you have an obligation to yourself. Because it is only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you will realize your true potential. These are the things I want for you—to grow up in a world with no limits on your dreams and no achievements beyond your reach, and to grow into compassionate, committed women who will help build that world. And I want every child to have the same chances to learn and dream and grow and thrive that you girls have. That’s why I’ve taken our family on this great adventure. I am so proud of both of you. I love you more than you can ever know. And I am grateful every day for your patience, poise, grace, and humor as we prepare to start our new life together in the White House.”
What a very sweet letter. At first I thought it was weird for a magazine to publish a letter that was written for the Obama girls but reading it clears up any misgivings I initially felt. The letter is really a letter meant for the children of the US and is a promise for a more hopeful future for our country. Speaking to (and thru) his children, President-elect Obama is trying to remind folks, again, that there is much work ahead for our country to get back on the path to prosperity. After the jump, read the full text of Obama’s letter to his children — and to us as a nation …
It’s hard to believe that we are less than a week away from swearing Barack Obama in as our 44th President of the United States of America. I continue to be very encouraged by the course laid ahead by President-elect Obama and very much look forward to watching him get to the work of governing our country. It’s a very exciting time in our nation’s history … and the tough work has yet to even get underway.
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obama is amazing. i cannot wait to see what he does for our country in the next 8 years
what a letter. i never was a fan of either him or bush, but this makes me see him in a different light.
I don’t agree with Obama all the time but as a parent what a beautiful letter to his children *sniff**sniff*
What an amazing letter – and I can enjoy the letter both as a supporter of Obama and a parent myself. We only want the best for our children and for future generations of our great country.
How amazing to have an ordinary family – and what we hope will be an extraordinary president – in The White House. We can all connect to these dreams and the hope in these words.
What a smart letter! Obama has so many unique qualities to bring to the White House that may have been lacking in Presidents before him–this letter really shows his depths.
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 !!!!
Wow – Obama is simply amazing… what a beautiful, sweet yet strong letter.
i am so in love with this man. <3
also, michelle fucking rocks.
Too bad he doesn’t want life for ALL children. I just CANNOT RESPECT a man who THREE TIMES voted to make it legal to either kill a child who survived a botch abortion, or deny them all medical care until they die of “natural causes”. EVERY OTHER DEMOCRAT in the senate and the house supported the bill to make it illegal (including Hillary, & ALL pro-choice groups), but OBAMA THREE TIMES LED the group to keep it legal to kill live children. LOOK IT UP, it’s called the “Born Alive Infants Protection Act”.
Just because someone does not agree that the way to reduce abortion is through legislation, does not mean that they don’t want to reduce abortions. It does not mean that he does not value life. Making something illegal does not make it stop. There were many many abortions performed illegally before abortion was legal and with them many mothers were killed as well. Please consider that our “pro-life” president did not drastically reduce abortion and that actually the abortion rate dropped most during the Clinton administration. Please consider that our “pro-life” president has led our country to war in which millions have died, lost homes, or loved ones and did so by misleading the American people. Please consider that our “pro-life” president has done nothing to stop the genecide of innocent people. Please consider that our “pro-life” president authorized torturing and holding prisoners without a fair trial. Please consider that our “pro-life” president has led our country into a terrible recession that compounds the reasons that women would consider turning to abortion to begin with. Obviously, our “pro-life” president’s idea on how to save innocent life resulted in very little life being saved.
Perhaps, we should stop villifying Obama and read what he says about ending abortion. Perhaps creating better jobs, better schools, after-school programs and health care will prevent more women from feeling like they need to terminate their pregnancies. And while we do this, we can do what we should have been doing anyway as Christians ( or as just good and decent people). Jesus did not talk about abortion in the Bible however he did talk alot about taking care of our brothers and sisters and poverty. Now that Obama is our new president, let’s try to save life this way. Let’s put our energy and time into serving our brothers and sisters in charity and goodwill as Jesus asked of us. Let us come together and make a difference in our country.
I believe that human life begins at conception, however, I understand that this life could not have been created or continue to grow without it’s mother and that her life is as important as the baby she carries. Very few Americans would prefer to turn to abortion as the first option. Most Americans have some feeling that this is not a good thing and would much rather find an alternative. According to various studies done on why women have abortions, very few have them as a form of birth control or because it would be an inconvenience. 50% of women who have abortions live at or below the poverty level. Most women do not feel that they have the knowledge, ability or financial means to care for another child. Making this illegal does not change this. Desperate women will turn to other means to terminate this pregnancy and put their own lives at greater risk. However helping these women is not only the right thing to do as Christians, but will naturally prevent them from leading them to abortion.
Finally, it is so much easier for someone to say, “I’m pro-life” and vote for representatives who would favor overturning Roe-vs-Wade than it is to be a foster parent, work at an after-school program, pay extra taxes to improve schools in lower income areas. Many of these people believe that they are the Christian base, but they do not want to consider the possibility of implementing a national healthcare plan that could provide healthcare for the impoverished and uninsured, because they are worried about possibly not having as good of healthcare as they currently have. Christianity is about sacrifice, for the good of others that have less than you.
Thank you President-elect Obama for helping me to rethink what being a Christian really means.
[...] Almost-President Barack Obama penned a letter to his daughters that will totally make you weep and sniffle and sob and feel all warm inside. [PITNB] [...]
Long- but wonderfully put CK :)
*BB – He voted against it because it did not include a clause that granted exceptions for the mother’s health.
His daughters may be a bit young to really grasp the significance of this letter, but it will be so wonderful for them to look back when they’re older on this. Only time will tell what kind of President Barack Obama will be, but his daughters can take pride in the fact that he has already inspired so many people. Best voting turnout in a century!!
What a wonderful man.
How incredible is it that he will be our president in 6 short days?
CK — WORD!!
CK… I think you should consider a run for president! That was quite possibly the most intelligent and well-written reply I’ve ever seen posted on this site, or, as a matter of fact, any other. Well done!
Here, here CK!
The letter Obama wrote is beautiful, it pretty much made me tear up! I am so excited to see what this man does for our country.