Barack Obama
Related: About this forumThe 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. Hed 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 awaymany of them two, three, or four years old, too young to understand it allthe president would grab them and toss them, laughing, up into the air, and then hand them a box of White House M&Ms, 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 repeatfor 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 isPresident 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 himselfnever 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
brer cat
(26,166 posts)He is one in a million.
sheshe2
(87,272 posts)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.
IrishAyes
(6,151 posts)sheshe2
(87,272 posts)PeggyKR
(177 posts)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
(87,272 posts)Welcome to DU and to the BOG.
Validation~
PeggyKR
(177 posts)Yes! This is me! The writer of this story!
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)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!
Whisp
(24,096 posts)Thank you. It was a labor of love, I assure you! Happy Holidays! Peace.
classof56
(5,376 posts)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)Our President continues to inspire me...every day! We keep going! Peace and Happy Holidays!
great white snark
(2,646 posts)It's the volunteers like you who made the difference.
PeggyKR
(177 posts)Thanks so, so much! We keep going. TOGETHER!
Isoldeblue
(1,135 posts)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)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
(305,137 posts)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 thingsthe holiest things, the most painful and important and cherished thingswe 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
We MUST help our President...help us all! Thank you for sharing..
sheshe2
(87,272 posts)"."
Cha
(305,137 posts)classof56
(5,376 posts)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
(87,272 posts)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
Isoldeblue
(1,135 posts)More proof of how special out POTUS is.
Isoldeblue
(1,135 posts)sheshe2
sheshe2
(87,272 posts)Had to shovel snow this morning.
Sweet~
Isoldeblue
(1,135 posts)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.