"Absolutely," he replied.
"What are you most hopeful about now?" she asked.
Without even pausing, he said, "The next generation." He continued, "History moves in cycles and what lasts is the impact. What we've done has had an impact on people's minds and hearts. And that continues."
I am proud to have voted for Obama twice. I remember the first time I waited in a really long line to cast my vote. I watched the election results that night. It was getting late, so I told Paul to wake me up when Obama came out for his acceptance speech.
We had a television in our bedroom back then, so when Paul woke me up and turned on the TV, I propped myself up on my pillows and had a good cry as I saw the first African American president walk onto the stage with his beautiful family. What a night for our nation.
Every time I hear the song "Sign, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours," I think of that night and the Obamas walking onto stage to that music.
Whether I agree with everything he's done or hasn't done as president, I know he is a good man and a good father. I've never doubted his love for this nation or his intentions about wanting the best for all Americans.
If you are feeling nostalgic and want to look back at Pete Souza's (the Official White House Photographer) 55 favorite photos of Obama, you can find them here. #2, #24, #37 and #54 are my favorites. If you love Obama like I do, you will definitely enjoy these pictures!
And I absolutely adore this video of a 106-year-old woman visiting the Obamas in the White House. If you need a good happy cry, watch this!
At the end of the interview, as Obama was leaving, Oprah asked, "So when you all get on the helicopter, since you now live in Washington, are you just going to circle the block and then go home?"
Obama laughed. "No, we're going someplace warm!" he said.
They all chuckled and then Oprah said, "It's going to be a moment when you all get on that helicopter."
That's when I lost it. I started bawling.
It wasn't a happy cry. It was a scared and disappointed cry. I cried for a long time and just let it all out. I wasn't expecting to be so upset at the thought of The Obamas leaving. Would I be this sad had Hillary been elected? Probably not. I would have been sad but I know I wouldn't have been scared.
It's a scary time right now.
One thing's for sure...
I'm gonna miss Obama.
I'm gonna miss Obama.
When was the last time you cried unexpectedly?
What makes you the most hopeful right now?
What president or first lady has inspired you the most?
What makes you the most hopeful right now?
What president or first lady has inspired you the most?
I am going to miss Obama too. He did so much with a congress that was against him at every turn. In hindsight I think history books will show that the ACA was a historic right step for the people of this country, and it will also show that it was a republican led congress that delayed it's progress and ability to help the people.
ReplyDelete*to help ALL people.
DeleteOf course it did help millions of previously uninsured people. And my mom was able to increase her coverage!
I'm glad it helped your momma! I too think history will look back favorably on the ACA and Obama. He was not perfect, but he did A LOT to help our country over the past eight years. And he's a freaking class act, which I don't think I fully appreciated until these past couple months!!
DeleteBarack & Michelle Obama are a class act! I feel so blessed to have been a part of their time in the white-house. I honestly don't feel hopeful except that maybe Trump will be impeached (I hope...). I cried unexpectedly watching Nurse Jackie the other night.
ReplyDeleteI hope he is impeached too. If so, we are still stuck with Pence, who is absolutely horrible on women and LGBTQ issues BUT I don't think Pence would blow up the world. Trump has set the bar so low!
DeleteI am really worried about the wars we can get into, and about losing key allies. I mean, I think George W. seems like a really charismatic guy (outside of his politics) and look at the mess he got us into. Trump is definitely going to do more damage right? He's absolutely an ego maniac. I'm worried about the first time an important ally criticizes him.
DeleteMy absolute worst fear is that Trump would actually use the nuclear codes. In which case I think the rest of the world would fire back at us (even friendly countries) just because they would need to protect themselves/the world and they would find Trump to be too unpredictable to trust. Plus they can't allow him to bully them of course. I pray that this is a far fetched fear and that I am just being a crazy liberal.
You've expressed so many people's fears precisely! I can't believe 60 million people voted for this dangerous buffoon.
DeleteAgreed - I will miss Obama too. Love Michelle and I think she is an inspiration. I almost cried watching Blackish this morning. Have you seen this week's show? It's political and I think it does an incredible job capturing how America feels right now and the divided points of view. I can totally relate to one of the characters... but I won't tell you which one because I don't get into political debates! :)
ReplyDeleteI do not watch Blackish. Is it always as good as the episode you just watched?
DeleteI don't watch all of their shows, which tend to be a bit controversial, but a lot of them are controversial and funny. They are not afraid to say some pretty frank stuff! And not surprisingly, a lot of talk of black/white/racism themes.
DeleteSounds like they like to push the envelope and get the conversation started. I would probably like that show!
DeleteThis was a lovely post - thank you. I love the Obamas too - what truly good, decent, kind people they are. They made this country a better place for everyone because they include everyone. My parents always taught me that there is room for everyone at the table and I think the Obamas live that truth too. I have cried many times about them leaving, but knowing that they are still going to be around and that President Obama said that he will speak up if he needs to made me feel better. Kristen
ReplyDeleteThey DID include everyone! I love how Michelle wanted it to be "The People's White House" and have it accessible to all different types of people. I am trying not to be sad and instead be thankful we had him for 8 years. I did feel comforted to hear that Obama will speak up on certain issues. I think past presidents should generally keep their mouths shut but when it comes to discrimination and human rights, it's all of our jobs to speak up!
DeleteI'm going to miss Obama as well, and I voted for him twice. I really worry about Trump and the Trump administration and I still want to pinch myself thinking it's a bad dream :(.
ReplyDeleteAbout every other night, I wake up sometime between 3-5am and the first thing I think of is, "Obama is still president, right??" It is so weird.
DeleteThe last time that I had an unexpected cry was this morning when I was watching a documentary called "The Mask You Live In" about the pressures boys have to "act like men." Hearing all the boys' stories, some of them even as grown men as they looked back at their childhood was enough to send me into hysterics but I held it together because I was on the treadmill. Crying while running is tough to do. I'll be thinking of you this weekend. Stay safe. Xo
ReplyDeleteI am sure that touched you deeply due to having boys of your own!
DeleteI'm not feeling particularly hopeful right now. This whole election has rocked me to my core. Sending my best to you as you travel to Washington.
ReplyDeleteIt was a rough one for sure. I hate it. :(
DeleteThe Obamas are so classy! I will miss Michelle Obama the most, she was so gracious and a true class act.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to cry tomorrow... I get physically sick thinking that he gets sworn in tomorrow, I keep pushing it off my mind, but there is no avoiding it anymore.
I worry that he won't be impeached, because the Republicans seem to be in his pocket and willing to support him no matter what he does or says.... which is infuriating!
It is infuriating. Some of his cabinet picks are fine. Some are horrible. Sessions? De Vos? PRUITT!?
DeleteThat last cartoon. Ugh. Right in the gut.
ReplyDeleteI remember watching the first election results in a panic. I had never felt so invested in a candidate before. I was biting my nails and screaming at the TV as results came in. I cried big, ugly sobs when it was announced that he had won. I've always been politically interested, and maybe it's a coincidence just based on my age, but I credit his first election with how involved I've gotten in the past 8 years.
I don't remember being as invested as you, but I definitely wanted him to win and was very happy when he did! I think it's awesome he has such high approval ratings. :) Yeah that last cartoon is EXACTLY hoe I am feeling right now.
DeleteOur circumstances make me randomly cry all the time like this morning on the way to school listening to Bob Dylan's "The Times are a Changin'". However, I am hopeful that I can experience even just a smidgen of happiness everyday. Though some days it might seem scarce, it will force me to look harder.
ReplyDeleteLucky for us we have students who make us happy every day! At least we are helping to mold the future of America.
DeleteI miss him already.
ReplyDelete<3
Me too :(
Delete