Because I Love Him
My name is Michelle. You may have heard of me, but likely only because of my husband. While I am a strong and independent woman, a good mother and a loving wife - I don't mind taking a step back tonight. Letting him be the subject. Because I love him.
He is the man of my dreams, the man I fell in love with so many years ago. Before he was worth the world's admiration ... before he felt the wrath of his job. When his hair was still black and his thoughts were multi-colored. When ideallistic dreams filled his silly young head and the future of this country consumed him. When his laughter filled a room and his smile lit my heart. Forgive me for going on, it's just because I love him.
These days, the man I knew before is still there. He is trying so hard to do everything he can for these United States he now leads. He stumbles, he falls and he makes huge mistakes - all enough to make him wonder sometimes if he's really good enough. If anyone is. I try to assure him, to tell him that he is a good man and that's what this country needs. And not just because I love him. Because it's my country too, and I need him.
I won't comprehend why some people seem to hate him so much. I can't. I, we, were prepared for his policies to be ripped to shreads, his ideas to be laughed at and his speeches to be compared to an Elvis concert. But I wasn't prepared for the intense dislike, the rabid wish for him to ... disappear. I didn't really think that it was still possible for some to think ... that way. Perhaps I looked away ... because I love him.
I fear for him. Just between you and I, I am so very afraid sometimes. He may not be everything that was wished when he was elected, he certainly isn't a savior. He's a young man - a father and a husband. He's doing the best that he can and he may or may not be succeeding. Those are not reasons to fear for his life.
There. I said it. Why, in this world of ours, do I have to feel it? No moment is guaranteed. But no moment should be threatened by dangerous people with old, used-up ideas of who should lead our country. Or who has the right to try. The citizens cast their votes - the citizens declared their choice. Now some people ... I can't even think of it.
Because I love him.
absolutely terrific!
Thanks so much for this!
I wish I could write a melody and put the soul of this to song.
August 11, 2009 3:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
That may be the best comment I've ever received, Aunt Sam. Thank you.
August 11, 2009 4:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
Missy - I truly believe you are one of the best writers I've had the pleasure to read and enjoy. Your muse is seamless and always captures the heart of both the verse and the reader. A gift for all.
August 11, 2009 11:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you so much for this.
August 11, 2009 10:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
This is so beautiful - thank you.
August 11, 2009 10:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
Beautiful, absolutely beautiful.
August 11, 2009 11:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
Off the mainstream reels of discourse, a poignant expression of the unspoken, about the unthinkable.
Barefooted, thank you for sharing.
August 11, 2009 12:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
I honestly respect you for maintaining the emotional side of the Obama phenomenon last year. This love song is so affecting I hate to put a "but" on it... but:
As the president of the United States, he's more than a symbol of the nation and a signifer of positive change in this country's social schematic. He's our servant, the foremost civil service worker in the system. We must criticize and hold him to high standards, as we would any president. If anyone thought his job would be easy, certainly the last six months have turned them around. Obama faces a vitrified, remote machine answerable only to the deepest pockets - and that's just from his own Democratic party. As important as it is to remember what Obama's election means, it's crucial to keep in mind what his job entails. I don't think it's a good idea to mythologize our presidents, although that's perfectly understandable. But, especially now, it's more important to help them keep their eyes on the prize, and when time comes to leave the Oval Office, their era will be remembered as one more of accomplishment, of hope realized, not just conveyed.
August 11, 2009 2:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't believe I'm trying to mythologize our President. On the contrary, if anything I am attempting to humanize him.
I agree with your points. I think we have a very long way to go in this country before we can say we've gotten it right - in our choices of representatives as well as our collective reality.
Criticizing and holding his feet to the fire seems to be not only necessary, but welcomed by him. But my point is that while doing so, it is horrifying that some wish to make it personal.
August 11, 2009 2:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Beautiful post. Thanks for sharing.
My husband was on our County Board for a number of years. We had one issue and it was unbelievable the number of hateful phone calls we received. The name calling etc. was horrible. I too became fearful for our lives. He was gone during the night with his regular job and I reached the point where I asked for police surveillance of our home as I feared someone would set fire to it. It is not a good feeling living in fear. I can't imagine it on a larger scale such as yours.
August 11, 2009 4:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is soooooo sweet. What a wonderful feeling it gives me.
THIS IS MY PRESIDENT.
Believe me, I have waited for him to come along for decades.
August 11, 2009 6:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Missy,
Your prose is always affecting, always provocative, always magical. Thanks for making the point that all of us who hung our hopes on Obama wish we could: He is not and never has been our Messiah or their Satan. He is only a man, undeserving of cosmic-scale hatred. I hope he retires old and happy in the Bahamas.
August 11, 2009 9:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Beautiful words Missy, spoken as though you were standing in her shoes, thank you.
August 11, 2009 11:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
I fear for him, Missy. And I fear for us. My heart goes out to Michelle, her fear is so much greater.
Your words, as they do so often, bring tears to my eyes.
August 11, 2009 11:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you all for the kind words. Keep those good thoughts ... we need them.
August 12, 2009 3:34 AM | Reply | Permalink