On my wall hangs a framed character the Chinese equivalent of “Appreciation” at the bottom of the drawing are words I have thought about and wondered at for a couple of years now.
Appreciation
The Art of Gratefulness.
to truly be appreciative is to receive with grace that which has been given. In return, thanks and warmth are given back creating a full circle of friendship and goodwill.
Dear President Obama,
I am appreciative of your years of service to the United States of America. For the first time I am truly proud of my country. It was an incredibly emotional event for me to be woken up just after midnight election night 2008 by my teenage son who told me for the first time in the history of the country where I was born and raised that a Black man had been elected president. I’d gone to bed early, you see, thinking that my vote wouldn’t matter another White face would occupy the White House, another four years of a president who would never understand what it means to be a person of color in the borders of this country, another one who would never understand the the twoness of a soul divided by the veil W.E.B. DuBuois lamented in the Souls of Black Folk. My son and daughter were excited as I was. We could not wrap our heads around the idea a Black man was the President of America. Especially me. I was never supposed to see this in my lifetime, but I was hopeful most of all at the news of you. These last few years seem to have passed by like a good movie that you’re so into and don’t want to end so you go get the dvd months later just so you can pause the good parts and back it up to watch them again and again. One of my favorite parts was how you owned Obamacare. Oh yes, how I smile whenever I hear anyone repeat what was meant to be a pejorative knowing that the Affordable Care Act will be forevermore referenced to as Obama Care. Thank you for caring. It seems that this letter will be a bit more wordy than I intended as I have 7 years of emotion which I am I folding in this small confine of space. The connection I felt with the seven years that you have been My President extends beyond color. My family history is steeped in the midwest state of Kansas and I am fond of reminiscing about growing up as a rebellious teenager searching for meaning in the skin that I am in. It’s wrenching as child of Kansas to watch the self serving deconstruction of my childhood home because of willful ignorance of economics and politics. Still I remain hopeful for the future of Kansas. It is my hope that maybe just maybe this simple note will somehow reach your ears and you will know the role you and your family had in this current history really did change the world.
I have always told my two children they could do anything they put their mind to. It is mind blowing to realize there is a generation of children who have only ever had a Black President. It was truly my pleasure to see you and your family represent me and my family. I enjoyed the photos of your girls waiting on Daddy to come home or on vacation or serving at functions and events over the years. I can’t believe how they have grown! I know it wasn’t easy ensuring that they had a safe happy childhood in the midst of world crisis, environmental crisis and political crisis. Like any parent worth their salt you and Mrs. Obama did what was necessary to ensure they grew into the lovely young ladies they are.
Mrs. Obama gets her own paragraph in this letter of appreciation as you inspired me to no end and tickled me with quick quips in interviews and dance moves I tried to but failed to imitate. Your energy and put togetherness in how you approached life in the reality of living under the microscopic vision of the world reminded me of the women in my family and life. I could picture you talking with your mom about the girls and fussing with the details of life while making your own initiatives relevant as First Lady. Mrs. Obama your service is unmatched in that without your sacrifice I doubt there could have been a historic President who changed the game.
Growing up my mother was an old school community activist. She made sure me and my sister attended many community events during our childhood. I affectionately remember Soulful Sonny a local radio deejay spinning vinyl, at many events in the parks at rec centers while the kids played in unruly humid heat. The adults talked about and planned community action. In the Background “She’s a brick house” or maybe even Earth, Wind and Fire set the mood for a community to come together to create our own hope and change in Topeka Kansas circa 1970 something. The community I remember best began foremost at the doors of the Second Baptist Church just over the Kansas Avenue Bridge every Sunday where my Grandma and Grandpa taught me change began with me and my hope is not in any man. Those days passed me by in the blink of an eye never appreciated by the rebellion that motivated my teenage heart. It is the heart of the adult that looks back in time and knows that each day is its own and each day must be lived appreciatively in each moment.
I never dreamed the time you would no longer be my president would come so quickly or that I would want to keep appreciating the actions your White House has wrought in the world beyond eight years. With all my heart I wish there could be more. There were times I disagreed respectfully with some policy decisions but also understand that you were elected the to make those decisions as you felt best. There were also times I wanted to holler for you when opinions pages thought they knew better than the President briefed every day on world situations. President Obama should...or Obama caves...The first few years the Left and the Right weren’t happy no matter what you did. I want to thank you for the pragmatism with which you reached compromises that benefited all Americans no matter what color they are. I have to let the first Black President know hope and change? Yes we did. One more year and done. “And now that we’ve come to the end of our rainbow there’s something I must say out loud…” You are welcome to my home anytime for a cup of joe and good conversation.
Sincerely,
Cordellia