Sandy Hook

Sandy Hook

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Open Letter from Michelle Obama to Parents

A beautiful, smart and classy First Lady

Dear parents,

Like so many Americans all across the country, Barack and I were shocked and heartbroken by the horrific act of violence committed in Arizona this past weekend. Yesterday, we had the chance to attend a memorial service and meet with some of the families of those who lost their lives, and both of us were deeply moved by their strength and resilience in the face of such unspeakable tragedy.

As parents, an event like this hits home especially hard. It makes our hearts ache for those who lost loved ones. It makes us want to hug our own families a little tighter. And it makes us think about what an event like this says about the world we live in – and the world in which our children will grow up.

In the days and weeks ahead, as we struggle with these issues ourselves, many of us will find that our children are struggling with them as well. The questions my daughters have asked are the same ones that many of your children will have – and they don’t lend themselves to easy answers. But they will provide an opportunity for us as parents to teach some valuable lessons – about the character of our country, about the values we hold dear, and about finding hope at a time when it seems far away.

We can teach our children that here in America, we embrace each other, and support each other, in times of crisis. And we can help them do that in their own small way – whether it’s by sending a letter, or saying a prayer, or just keeping the victims and their families in their thoughts.

We can teach them the value of tolerance – the practice of assuming the best, rather than the worst, about those around us. We can teach them to give others the benefit of the doubt, particularly those with whom they disagree.

We can also teach our children about the tremendous sacrifices made by the men and women who serve our country and by their families. We can explain to them that although we might not always agree with those who represent us, anyone who enters public life does so because they love their country and want to serve it.

Christina Green felt that call. She was just nine years old when she lost her life. But she was at that store that day because she was passionate about serving others. She had just been elected to her school’s student council, and she wanted to meet her Congresswoman and learn more about politics and public life.

And that’s something else we can do for our children – we can tell them about Christina and about how much she wanted to give back. We can tell them about John Roll, a judge with a reputation for fairness; about Dorothy Morris, a devoted wife to her husband, her high school sweetheart, to whom she’d been married for 55 years; about Phyllis Schneck, a great-grandmother who sewed aprons for church fundraisers; about Dorwan Stoddard, a retired construction worker who helped neighbors down on their luck; and about Gabe Zimmerman, who did community outreach for Congresswoman Giffords, working tirelessly to help folks who were struggling, and was engaged to be married next year. We can tell them about the brave men and women who risked their lives that day to save others. And we can work together to honor their legacy by following their example – by embracing our fellow citizens; by standing up for what we believe is right; and by doing our part, however we can, to serve our communities and our country.

Sincerely,

Michelle Obama

t/h NPR

11 comments:

  1. Very well said by The First Lady. I'm sure there will be some who will criticize her for writing this....and that is emblematic of the divisions we have in this country.

    But then again....I could be wrong.

    Here's hoping I am.

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  2. It breaks my heart that children are having to learn such hard lessons today. My own childhood memories are not filled with such horrors. We are fortunate to have a young mother as first lady who sets an example of good parenting. BJ

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  3. Lessons that aren't just for the children, methinks.

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  4. Hugh: I'm afraid there's little chance that you are wrong but let's hope so. I think about the criticism - mainly from you know who - about her efforts for educating our youth about wellness and good nutrition.

    BJ: We are fortunate indeed. She is a remarkable woman, mother and wife.

    Intelliwench: I was thinking that as I read it.

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  5. Great post, tnlib!

    Glad to read it. Mrs. Obama is a class act, and she proved it again with this open letter.

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  6. I read it. Thanks. Some of the comments left me a little cold. Wonder why.

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  7. Leslie: That's a beautiful letter from our First Lady. I probably wouldn't have seen it if not for you because, and I hate to admit this, most of "my side" doesn't post about Michelle Obama unless they're bashing her. That saddens me because she is a classy lady and people are so blind by their ideology that they don't see the woman, only the 'D'. I look beyond that because I've always liked our First Ladies, especially Jackie Kennedy, she was my favorite and then Laura. I'm hoping I'll be able to add Michelle to my list, and so far it's looking pretty good.

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  8. This is LEADERSHIP in contrast to the peevish and petulant and self-serving remark uttered earlier this week by one whose name I shall no longer mention.

    Michelle Obama. A class act, indeed!

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  9. Thanks, Pam. I have nothing but admiration and affection for her.

    Octo: I don't think the term "leadership" is understood by a lot of people.

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  10. Yes our First Lady Michelle is a class act! Beautiful letter indeed, thanks Leslie!

    Pam is right about the conservative Michelle bashing. I cringe in disbelief when I read the most hateful things about her, ALL unwarranted!

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