My most sincere parting words to POTUS, Barack Obama. Spoiler Alert: I'm a Democrat, and I'm going to miss this man.
Dear President Obama,
There are so many things I wish I could say to you. So many thoughts that bounce around in my head when I think of what you've done. I have questions and opinions. I want to sit you down and interview you for hours. You have managed a feat I could never dream.
I remember the day you were sworn in. I was itching in my seat in class all day so I could go home and watch the nightly news and see you place your hand on the Bible and say "I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
When you won the election, I remember smiling to myself for days as I walked through my classmates, like I had a secret. In a fairly conservative southern school, my political opinions were unpopular to say the least. But I didn't care. I wanted to jump and scream in excitement, "IT'S ABOUT TIME!" It had been 'about time' for years now.
As you entered the White House, I thought... This is it. We've finally caught up to the times. We've taken a step forward, instead of a step back. I was thrilled, and I know many people who were absolutely ecstatic, rightfully so. Friends of mine, children I knew, they had faith. They had a chance, to have their voices heard, or to become President one day too.
I know there are people out there who hate you. I know there are people out there who can't wait to see you leave. I know there are people who wish worse than that. I can't imagine what it must feel like to know there are people in the country you serve so loyally that harbor such hateful feelings toward you.
But, despite all that, I'm glad it was you. I know someone else could have done just as good of a job or better. But God, am I glad it was you. You are a fantastic man. As a country, we have watched you father your children, adore your wife, calm the fears of your people, and break your opponents' wills.
Now, we're going to have to go through something scary and new. You won't be there to hold the nation's hand, or smile and crack a joke to lighten the mood. You won't be on Jimmy Fallon anymore, and I won't see you on the Nightly News.
In some ways, I feel as though we're taking a thousand steps backward. Into the dark ages. The nation is losing a role model, for men and women, young and old. You and your family were nothing but kind, polite, and genuine. And now, I'm afraid that some little boy or girl will grow up watching the next President and think that this is the new normal. That the behavior shown by Donald Trump is acceptable. That someone like that is fit to run our country and represent us as a nation, as a people.
I know I'm not alone in my views, but I know many people disagree with me. And that's fine. I hope that these next four years make them as happy as you have in the past eight.
I am so proud of what you've accomplished. I know to me it feels as though we're taking a step back, but we'll go forward. We always do. It may be an inch, and not a mile. But we will, go forward, because... Yes, we can.
I will miss you Mr. President, and I hope you enjoy some well-deserved rest. Though I doubt we have seen the last of you.
Deepest Regards and Respect,
Amanda Willis
