Thank You Michelle Obama (Mrs. First Lady) - An Essay From Relentless Aaron

[Relentless Aaron]

So many of us have not been able to achieve what you have; to do what you’ve done. Until now, we’ve only have obscure images of Camille & Bill or Jada & Will to look up to as our icons of strong, black relationships. But now there’s you! And although you’ve no doubt done this “family thing” for longer than we’ve been privileged to see, only now has you’re A-Game been exposed. Only now, has your unit really touched our hearts when you paraded across the stage on the night of your husband’s election.
Mrs. First Lady, many of us (myself at the front of the line) cannot follow in your footsteps. It’s too late, the paperwork is in; the scars have been left—some still remain open—and the consistence has been broken. The good woman who we’ve chosen has somehow slipped away. The good men that women have chosen have left or have been banished in some way, shape or form. Whether it was due to financial challenges, loss of love’s impact, poor choices, or mere geographical challenges, we have (many of us) succumbed to the circumstances and the cards we’ve been dealt, with our children forced to cope with the unfortunate results. And what’s left for those of us who are not as capable or prepared or determined to achieve your level of success? I suppose we could be spectators, most of us, while others of us can continue to share your influence with those that are our family & friends; people who we might touch from day to day. We must remind ourselves and others of the dream fulfilled and that the impossible dream is INDEED possible. By the looks of things, you and your husband are both educated, so you are not likely to fall into any of the usual “relationship traps” that are common between men & women. You more than likely argue to the point of a “win-win”, or to agree even while you disagree. If anything, you at least go to bed as in-love as you were the day before, the year before and the decade before. You likely would not sling bows and arrows and wield sharp, scathing assaults on the love of your life as so many of us do here in the battlegrounds of human relations. So, we might just spread the word about “The Obamas” and how they kept it all together, the family unit, even if we do it through leadership in our careers, and as individuals who learn from our own hard knock lives. If we are not so fortunate to have family, then we must accept that, change that, or merely stand back and be inspired.
Somehow, Michelle, you redeem us all. It’s in the message you convey in your footsteps: that “The Greatest Love Of All” is indeed possible—a marvel that many of us can “live with,” even if we do not achieve it ourselves. There’s no doubt that you two have had “human being struggles” as the rest of us have. But that has not impaled your strong resolve and stick-with-it way of life. There’s no doubt that you have felt alone due to the long hours and sacrifices that your husband was confined to. There was likely scandal and controversy and certain pain that knocked at your door through the years. But again, you’ve pulled through to the finish line, weathering storms unknown. You have succeeded at achieving the fairytale; the black relationship survives! You have the ultimate First Family! How serious is that!? WAY bigger than anything I could’ve EVER achieved!
Therefore, I thank you Mrs. First Lady for showing us, at least, what is possible. Once upon a time, we all had the fictional life of the Cosby’s to look up to or to learn from. But, you’ve certainly trumped that illusion! You run America’s new and improved favorite family! In fact, I’d bet my last nickel that Jada & Will, Camille & Bill boo-hoo’ed over these past days in light of your unimaginable success. As for the rest of us civilians? It is evident that what you represent is popular; it’s righteous and it’s meaningful on the most massive scale. We could see that in Oprah’s cry and Jessie’s cry and Colin’s cries. You represent what is right according to nature’s lioness and her cubs, beside her lion. And we all agree. So again, thank you for leaving us with some hope—all of us with our broken lines of communication, our stray relationships, our disheveled family ties, mismanaged futures and separate, independent journeys. Sure, it’s all a big mess out here, much of it tied to economics and whatever people-skills we lacked along the way. Nevertheless, on the biggest stage on the planet Earth, you have displayed that in-tact family for all to see. It’s an image that we can cherish forever, as one would a favorite movie or statue or painting. The intangible moment and the unobtainable memories that human beings can look to as reminders of greatness. Mrs. First Lady, Michelle Obama, you are the living truth. With your leadership and presence we can still see the light. We may not be able to pick up the pieces or mend what has been torn. Realistically, that may not be likely. But, for sure, women can look at you, just as men can look at Barack, and we can smile and know: THAT’S ME! And even imagining that, and to live your life vicariously through the photos and videos and the history you’re creating is all the joy a person needs to fuel their goals, dreams and life’s purpose.
Rock on, Michelle Obama, Mrs. First Lady. And you keep on out-dancing your man too. It’s the balance that makes my day!

[Jill]

AMEN!!!! EXCELLENT Blog My *Friend*

PEACE LOVE &BLESSINGS Jill