Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

sheshe2

(87,490 posts)
Sat Dec 14, 2013, 06:46 PM Dec 2013

The stories he holds in his heart

Today as President and Michelle Obama paid homage to the victims who were killed in Newtown a year ago today, I'm thinking of the stories he holds in his heart. Here's Joshua DuBois' recounting of the President's time with families prior to the memorial service last year.

Person after person received an engulfing hug from our commander in chief. He’d say, “Tell me about your son… . Tell me about your daughter,” and then hold pictures of the lost beloved as their parents described favorite foods, television shows, and the sound of their laughter. For the younger siblings of those who had passed away—many of them two, three, or four years old, too young to understand it all—the president would grab them and toss them, laughing, up into the air, and then hand them a box of White House M&M’s, which were always kept close at hand. In each room, I saw his eyes water, but he did not break.

And then the entire scene would repeat—for hours. Over and over and over again, through well over a hundred relatives of the fallen, each one equally broken, wrecked by the loss…We spent what felt like a lifetime in those classrooms, and every single person received the same tender treatment. The same hugs. The same looks, directly in their eyes. The same sincere offer of support and prayer...

And the funny thing is—President Obama has never spoken about these meetings. Yes, he addressed the shooting in Newtown and gun violence in general in a subsequent speech, but he did not speak of those private gatherings. In fact, he was nearly silent on Air Force One as we rode back to Washington, and has said very little about his time with these families since. It must have been one of the defining moments of his presidency, quiet hours in solemn classrooms, extending as much healing as was in his power to extend. But he kept it to himself—never seeking to teach a lesson based on those mournful conversations, or opening them up to public view.


The rest here~


http://immasmartypants.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-stories-he-holds-in-his-heart.html

28 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
The stories he holds in his heart (Original Post) sheshe2 Dec 2013 OP
Thank you for sharing this, sheshe2. brer cat Dec 2013 #1
Hi, brer cat. sheshe2 Dec 2013 #2
What you said. IrishAyes Dec 2013 #3
Hugs Irish~ sheshe2 Dec 2013 #6
My own personal experience with Barack Obama PeggyKR Dec 2013 #4
I read this the other day. This is you Peggy? sheshe2 Dec 2013 #5
This would be me! PeggyKR Dec 2013 #7
Kudos! sheshe2 Dec 2013 #8
He so gets it! PeggyKR Dec 2013 #11
Thank you so much for helping elect President Obama, Peggy... Whisp Dec 2013 #10
Thank you! PeggyKR Dec 2013 #12
Validation indeed, Peggy. classof56 Dec 2013 #14
Thanks to our President! PeggyKR Dec 2013 #22
Thank you so much for sharing your story Peggy. great white snark Dec 2013 #15
Because WE CAN. PeggyKR Dec 2013 #16
Welcome to DU and the BOG, Peggy! Isoldeblue Dec 2013 #17
Our brilliant and compassionate President.. PeggyKR Dec 2013 #19
It was an unfathomable time of heartstricken and Cha Dec 2013 #9
Sandy Hook PeggyKR Dec 2013 #26
I thought I would share this with you Cha. sheshe2 Dec 2013 #27
Thank you, she.. it's beautiful~ Cha Dec 2013 #28
Sheshe, can't thank you enough for posting this. classof56 Dec 2013 #13
Classof56... sheshe2 Dec 2013 #20
So heartwarming! Isoldeblue Dec 2013 #18
~ sheshe2 Dec 2013 #21
Right back atcha' Isoldeblue Dec 2013 #23
Sometimes I am so tired after work, I can only manage a hug~ sheshe2 Dec 2013 #24
I bet you're exhausted! Isoldeblue Dec 2013 #25

sheshe2

(87,490 posts)
2. Hi, brer cat.
Sat Dec 14, 2013, 07:43 PM
Dec 2013

You are welcome. Such a sad anniversary.



The President gave them support from his heart. He embraced the siblings and the small friends left behind. Today makes me cry for them all.

He is indeed one in a million.

PeggyKR

(177 posts)
4. My own personal experience with Barack Obama
Sat Dec 14, 2013, 10:02 PM
Dec 2013

What a lovely post! We have an exceptional President! I was a volunteer with the Obama/Biden campaign at campaign headquarters in Chicago. If people really want to know what kind of person Barack Obama is...read my story. Happy Holidays. Peace.

http://allreilledup.com/2012/11/validation/#.Uq0bktJDsuc

sheshe2

(87,490 posts)
8. Kudos!
Sat Dec 14, 2013, 10:35 PM
Dec 2013

So glad you are here,

Again, welcome to the BOG~

He gets it because he is it! Thank you Peggy, that says it all!

PeggyKR

(177 posts)
11. He so gets it!
Sun Dec 15, 2013, 09:46 AM
Dec 2013

He had to have know how tough this was going to be. Whether he expected THIS much hate and opposition? Not so sure. But he is grace under fire...that's for sure!

classof56

(5,376 posts)
14. Validation indeed, Peggy.
Sun Dec 15, 2013, 12:23 PM
Dec 2013

Thanks so much for sharing this, and for all you did to help re-elect our President. I just bookmarked your blog and look forward to future posts. Oh, and a hearty welcome to DU!

PeggyKR

(177 posts)
22. Thanks to our President!
Sun Dec 15, 2013, 07:26 PM
Dec 2013

Our President continues to inspire me...every day! We keep going! Peace and Happy Holidays!

Isoldeblue

(1,135 posts)
17. Welcome to DU and the BOG, Peggy!
Sun Dec 15, 2013, 04:10 PM
Dec 2013

Last edited Sun Dec 15, 2013, 08:52 PM - Edit history (1)

I love your story! I have no doubt that President Obama is everything you say he is. We are blessed to have him.

I'm not much for the saying, "God Bless America". Because why should He bless us more than other parts of the world.... ? I actually feel we deserve it the least. But in my mind, God did bless us with this man.

PeggyKR

(177 posts)
19. Our brilliant and compassionate President..
Sun Dec 15, 2013, 06:59 PM
Dec 2013

Thank you so much! I think I will really enjoy this blog! Nice to be around so many like-minded people. I do believe history will be kinder to our President than many are right now. Happy Holidays! Peace.

Cha

(305,406 posts)
9. It was an unfathomable time of heartstricken and
Sun Dec 15, 2013, 12:44 AM
Dec 2013

inconsolable grief, she~ I'm so grateful this President was there for the loved ones of the Sandy Hook kids.

Thank you so much, she, for smartypants' tribute to the memory of the beautiful children who were killed a year ago today at Sandy Hook Elementary.. by sharing Joshua Dubois'(White House Spirtual Advisor) recollection of the President's encounters with the grieving families.

"Jesus teaches us that some things—the holiest things, the most painful and important and cherished things—we are to do in secret." Joshua Dubois

"Recently when he was interviewed by Chris Matthews, President Obama said that the most important characteristic of any effective president is the extent to which he stays connected to the people he is elected to serve. At times like this I imagine that connection breaks your heart."

"My hope is for support and healing to all the hearts that are broken today."smartypants~ who says it so well.

she

classof56

(5,376 posts)
13. Sheshe, can't thank you enough for posting this.
Sun Dec 15, 2013, 12:20 PM
Dec 2013

What a beautiful account of our President's compassion. Another example of how fortunate we are to have him at the helm of the Ship of State. On the anniversary of this horrific event, I mourn for those whose lives were lost and for the families and friends left behind to grieve. In a way, I mourn for those among us who do not understand the depths of this tragedy, nor appreciate how amazing President Obama is. It is their loss.

Blessings.

sheshe2

(87,490 posts)
20. Classof56...
Sun Dec 15, 2013, 07:18 PM
Dec 2013

you are welcome. such a good man. simply said yet that is who he is.

i too mourn for those that keep their eyes wide shut. they do not see what is before them, their loss indeed.

to you and yours~ peace

sheshe2

(87,490 posts)
24. Sometimes I am so tired after work, I can only manage a hug~
Sun Dec 15, 2013, 08:51 PM
Dec 2013

Had to shovel snow this morning.

Sweet~

Isoldeblue

(1,135 posts)
25. I bet you're exhausted!
Sun Dec 15, 2013, 09:02 PM
Dec 2013

Not to worry, dear she.... A hug says so much and more sometimes, than words do.

I go thru flare-ups and I have a hard time forming sensible, coherent sentences, with the accompanying brain fog. I may not post, but I do read all your fantastic posts here in the BOG.

Between you, cha, grant and freshwest, the group is always a lovely place to visit.


Latest Discussions»Retired Forums»Barack Obama»The stories he holds in h...