One Week to Change
by The leaves are turning, the air is crisper, and my girls are completely wrapped up in their preparations for Halloween. Yep, it’s definitely fall.
Malia and Sasha spent hours this weekend putting the finishing touches on their costumes. Then they paraded around with their friends at the Halloween party we hosted on Saturday night. Malia was what she calls an “evil fairy,” and Sasha was (I can hardly believe I’m writing this) a corpse bride. They were both aiming for terrifying, but as Barack put it, they really are just too cute to be scary.
In a few days, we’ll go trick-or-treating. And then, just a few days later, it’s Election Day.
After 21 long months, the big day is almost here.
This campaign has been such an incredible experience for me and for our family. I’ve learned so much. And I don’t just mean how to travel to five states in two days, or where to find places for kid-friendly fun anywhere in America on a moment’s notice. (Though, believe me, these are extremely useful skills.)
I’ve learned that there is so much more that unites us as Americans than divides us—no matter what our differences may be. I’ve seen neighbors pitching in when the folks around them need a hand—without being asked, and sometimes without even being noticed. Strangers seeing each other struggle, and standing up to say, “I don’t know you, but I want to help.”
This is exactly what Barack has been talking about for years. The fundamental values and experiences that bring us together… regardless of our race, our political party, our socioeconomic status, our age or our gender… all the threads that connect our lives and our futures. Because the truth is, we are in this together. We will rise and fall together. And the only way that we’ll build a better future for our kids is by coming together and working together for change.
As Barack always says, We don’t live in red states or blue states… we live in the United States. And during the past 21 months, as I’ve traveled around this beautiful country, I’ve seen the truth of his words again and again.
Now, with just two weeks to go until Election Day, I’d like share with you one of my favorite memories from the campaign trail, for you to get a sense of the extraordinary strength and kindness I’ve seen on my travels.
Throughout this campaign, I’ve hosted roundtable discussions with women—both to introduce myself and our family to the American people, and to hear the questions and concerns of folks all over this country. A few months ago, I was in Kansas City, Missouri, meeting with a group of local women, when one woman started talking about her son.
He had some developmental problems, and his pediatrician urged her to give him as much enrichment as she could. But she didn’t make enough money to afford daycare. So instead of spending his days playing with other children in a lively environment, this little boy was spending his days sitting in a relative’s living room, waiting for his mom to finish work.
This mother was heartsick over how to give her son a better quality of life during these crucial formative years.
Another woman was participating in the discussion that day: a nun named Sister Berta, who runs a nonprofit agency that cares for low-income children while their mothers are at work. And after we finished our discussion that day, Sister Berta quietly went over to the woman, and offered her son a spot at her center—for just $10 a week.
It almost seemed like a miracle. Right when that woman was brave enough to tell her story, there was someone listening who could help her. And two people who didn’t know each other before that morning found their lives on a different path after we left.
I think about that moment all the time. Because that right there—that sense of cooperation, that unity—that is why Barack is in this race. Because he believes so deeply in our ability to come together in times like these—times of crisis—to overcome any challenges that we face.
It’s going to take all of us working together to build a better future. And we have to start now. This election gives all of us the opportunity to change our world. So please, make the most of this moment. Educate yourself, and your friends and family, about the issues at stake in this election. And please, no matter who you vote for, make sure you vote.
I know we can do this. I’ve met so many strong and compassionate folks on the campaign trail. Folks like Sister Berta, who knows that we rise and fall together—and who can’t stand by if the situation demands that she step up.
My family is committed to this campaign because of people like her, and people like you.
So I’ll be carrying so many stories in my heart during these final days, wherever I go—whether I’m on the campaign trail, or collecting candy from our terrified neighbors, as I go door-to-door with our ghoulish girls.
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Comments
I only wish you had added a picture of the
girls!!
I'm dying to see them in all their terrifyingness :)
Thanks for the post. I feel very moved by the story of those two lives intersecting.
Elisa Camahort Page
BlogHer
elisa@blogher.com
My BlogHer profile truly shows you everything I do online...Check it out!!
I hope you keep writing here
I hope you keep writing here after the election--you write beautifully. Thanks for sharing this story with us. I m very excited to say that my ballot was in the mail a week ago!
I have two scary girls at my house this year as well--an evil angel, and a villainous horse.
SJ also writes at I, Asshole.
You're good people Michelle
Having you and your amazing family in the White House will be a breath of much-needed fresh air. Especially for me. Because I'm not breathing at all for the next eight days.
Mom-101
vision
Michelle,
I watched Barack's speech in Canton this morning and these lines really got to me:
"Don’t believe for a second this election is over. Don’t think for a minute that power concedes." The difference in this election for me is choosing to elect those who want to have power OVER others vs. Barack who wants to empower each of us to form this country's vision together.
I saw the clip of Barack on "Ellen" where he said he didn't think the girls' costumes were scary enough...liked when he said, "Maybe it's a boy thing..." :)
Sending you and your entire family powerfully good thoughts as the election winds down. May you be safe...may you find peace within the chaos of the campaign...and may WE be victorious.
MarilynM at Twitter
Co-Founder of Bloggers for Darfur
loved this
That you can wax philosophical on all of these things, especially now, makes me respect and admire your family even more than I did before.
One week left... but then, like SJ, I do hope you'll have enough time to continue to write here!
--
Mir Kamin
(BlogHer contributing editor)
Personal: Woulda Coulda Shoulda
Having it all with less: Want Not
If it makes you feel any better...
... at least your girls are decisive. My daughter had been through 4 different princess dresses in 3 days. I'm still not sure which one will make the cut for Friday.
Sigh.
Politics & News Contributing Editor
Queen of Spain
I completely agree
I love that after all the crazy things that have been said and that have happened over the last 21 months that you continue to focus on the good and the great of what's happening. I too, hope that you will have the time to continue to write for BlogHer after you are in the White House :)
I Can't Wait To Have You As First Lady
Hi Michelle,
After such a long and draining campaign, I hope you know that there are many people out there like me who appreciate the sacrifices you and your family are making to get this country moving in the right direction.
I can't wait to cast my vote for your husband next week.
Megan
BlogHer CE, TV/Online Video
My Personal Blog: Megan's Minute
More Than the Sum of Our Parts
What a beautiful post! I had the added bonus of slipping back to when my boys were kids and their own creative Halloweens. (How can I describe an 8-year-old "Agent Cooper" with his hair slicked back ...?)
Anyway, your story about Sister Berta is, to me, what is the miracle of this campaign. I had just written on my blog, after today's Canton speech, a really sentimental post about the possibility of feeilng like united Americans again. Then I read the story of call center workers who refused to read defamatory McCain campaign material against Senator Obama. Treated with respect by this campaign, they returned it.
We all know that we raise our children by example more than by lecture. I suspect it's the same for our nation. We can see the impact of the Obama style - respecting all audiences and all voters and all people, inviting all of us along on a return to the "better angels of our nature" and to the task of helping our country to get there too. So as this campaign draws to what we hope will be a happy ending, know that for someone who emerged from the idealism of the 60s only to have her heart broken by the past 8 years - and for so many others -- the campaign itself has meant a great deal. I honestly didn't think I would have another chance to feel like this.
Cynthia Samuels, PartnerCobblestone Associates, LLPBlog and Media Strategies and Content Development Online and on Television
Don’tGel Too Soon
Inspiring.
Your words lift the spirit. We are more united then we are divided. Thank you for sharing your experiences (and your children) with us. I agree with previous comments...I look forward to reading more blogs from you!
Barb Jacobucci
Nice Shoes! and other Life Observations
www.barbjacobucci.blogspot.com
As your Canadian neighbour...
...my greatest hope for your nation is to see your family in the White House. You are what America needs. So very badly.
All the best,
~ Karen ~
Sugarpants | Swank Web Style | Catapult Web Development
Inspiring and Positive
Thank you for the beautiful post, Michelle. You and Barack are inspiring in your love and respect for one another. And I truly appreciate your consistently strong, positive message, reminding us that when Americans come together, we are capable of doing great things.
I look forward to November 4th!
~Mary
....................................................
Mary Kearns, Becoming Your StellarSelf
A melancholic fall
My daughter is 12 and I think it may well be the last Halloween where she'll go as a little girl ! Next year she will enter High School and things will be different. It makes met think that maybe you feel melancholy too, thinking about how this might be the last relatively "normal" Halloween for the girls. If your husband wins the election, then I imagine it won't be possible for them to go out in the streets and from door to door! :-(
Have a Happy Halloween and not too much stress waiting for the elections!
Sending Good Thoughts for the 4th
Well, for the 31st too so you survive the evening with a corpse bride AND evil fairy. But definitely for the 4th because of stories like this one about these two women who came together just for being in the right place at the right time and speaking their heart.
Mel
Venting about infertility since 2006
www.stirrup-queens.blogspot.com
and we're not talkin' cowgirls...
Just Thanks
Michelle, thanks for sharing your family. Thanks for putting up with all the yucky stuff out there. Thanks for being who you are . Thanks for raising those two beautiful young ladies with great smiles. Thanks for standing tall and not stooping to yucky retorts. Thanks for giving Obama the anchor he is going to need. Thanks for giving the American people hope. I look forward to having an active, intelligent, "Tall" first lady. I know, I know, the election is next week, but I have that hope you and Obama gave us all. Oh, as a geek, thanks to you both for not trying to send e-mails using the microwave. You get it, you really get it, Thanks
Hi Michelle
I am so inspired by you and your husband. I am a disable veteran living in Florida.
I want you to know we are behind Barack as our President. We are here for you. We believe in Barack and feel he will be a great President that will look after our country. Today's speech with Barack on Hope was so inspiring.
One more week.
I have voted already for Obama
Sam
I Love Your Message of Hope
You and Barack have given us such a wonderful message of hope. Our Obama sign is planted firmly in our front yard and my husband and I (and son) anxiously await the election.
Our son is happy to report that most of the kids at his middle school are "voting for Obama" (or would if they could). He's going to be a space alien (again) this Halloween. I'm sure your daughters looked scary but awfully cute.
JC
Spread the Joy!
http://www.storyrhyme.com/jcsblog/files/4fa06e02fcb60da304d172e44200e3a0-69.html
http://www.storyrhyme.com/jcsblog
Good Luck!
I wish you well in your final race for the White House! Your husband's promise for the future gives me hope even in this time of turmoil.
I also think it would be fun to have kids in the White House again! I have boys, but I can relate to many of your challenges and joys - even if mine are not played out on a national stage!
BizMom@reversedroles.com
This was a truly beautiful post; thanks.
Hope to be celebrating with you in Grant Park on November 4! (And will be calling folks in the meantime.)
Celeste W
-- Bloghers, please send this site about conservatives for Obama to the undecided and conservative voters in your life (and in toss-up states!):
http://inprogress.typepad.com/republicanswitchers
Deeply Honored
I am so deeply honored and consider it a great priviledge to even be able to read this post of yours, Michelle. Your contributions to our community have been so great. Your contributions to our country have been even greater and I look forward to seeing and reading more about what you will do as our First Lady.
I cannot wait unti the election is finally over, but until then, enjoy your Halloween with your daughters and hopefully your husband.
Linking you
I forgot to tell you that I'm going to link to this post from my blog Stop Screaming I'm Driving! :)
Conscious Leadership
Dear Michelle,
Your husband represents the kind of conscious leader that this country desperately needs - someone who takes the high road even in the face of dirty campaign tactics, who is working to restore honor and integrity to the White House and who will begin to repair the damange done by years of leadership that has used fear to justify war. Thank you for taking on the most challenging task of putting your family into the public sphere to serve the rest of us. I cannot wait to cast my ballot (in NH) on the 4th!
Beautiful family
I posted on your family dressing on a budget and Barack Obama's worn shoes a while back. (I don't think it's an important campaign issue, however, but others seem to based on the number of folks reading it.)
Your husband may have regretted doing that Access Hollywood interview, but I and others really enjoyed watching your relationship with your daughters. It's good to see a strong family working toward balance, which is just another reason that I've also enjoyed reading your post here. I hope we all recover from this election to be as positive about the future as you and your husband are, especially me. Your post is inspirational.
Nordette is a Contributing Editor with BlogHer.com whose personal blog is hosted on another site at this link.
In a world where every family has to reinvent
the wheel
...on childcare, which is hard enough, it seems to me a national sin that we have so little investment in early childhood education, health care and nutrition. I'm thankful these women made the connection. I remain hopeful that our elected officials will act quickly in the coming months to help keep our littlest boats afloat in this economic storm.
As for Halloween, I want to know whether you're going to dress up Michelle! That's the joke in our house -- we all compete to wear a huge, ridiculous banana costume (with cutouts for the face and arms sticking out). Fortunately the eight-year-old didn't draw the right straw this year, since it's an adult costume and I end up carrying his "tail" like a little banana bride as he races from house to house, for fear that he'll turf on the sidewalk...think I'll go as Harry Potter...
Lisa Stone
BlogHer Co-founder
Surfette
BlogHer is non-partisan but our bloggers aren't! Follow our coverage of Politics & News.
Amazing Journey
www.amyinohio.wordpress.com
I'm so proud to be one of Barack's supporters and I'm a huge fan of yours Mrs. Obama.
You know what I loved most about this wonderful post? The peep hole into your ordinary lives. Who would have thought with all that is going on in the election that you would be able to take a break and craft costumes with the girls? It goes to prove even further why I appreciate your voice as much as I do: you never lose sight of the priorities in life. You're a busy, working Mom just like me.
Now, the corpse bride is a whole other issue of course! I'm just enjoying my 2 year old's cute approach to Halloween ala pink poodle. I'm not sure I'm ready for the scary!
Best of luck in the week ahead - we're with you!
Thank You, Michelle
I love reading your posts here. I also think that you will make a fabulous first lady because you are so aware and involved in what is going on with the people of America.
My son proudly sports a temporary Obama tattoo on his belly - he is on his second one already and tells people that it's President Obama. He says that when he sees him on TV, too. I think the boy knows something and he's only 4 1/2!
We have many lawn signs supporting democratic candidates on our front lawn and a big Obama/Biden one right in the middle of it all. I've been told by other supporters that they are happy when they see our array of signs because we live in a more conservative part of our county although I've been noticing many more democrat signs around town lately which gives me great hope for change to take place now!
I look forward to attending the victory party my county dem's are throwing on election night. I will be volunteering and doing what I can to get out the vote up until that day.
Change is good and I like many others, can't wait until your husband is our new president!!
Thanks,
Melissa
http://naturedeva.net
Kids Rule
Congratulations on making certain your children get to be children, despite all the chaos and mayhem surrounding their father's bid for the office of president of the US.
Running around as a Mom trying to find or design a Halloween costume for your children is usually a head banging experience. But with all the cameras, microphones, punditry, and secret service people swirling around you right now, watching your daughters' excitement over choosing outfits and dressing up in their favorite costume for Halloween must feel sane, calming, and like pure bliss here on this final week before the election. I guess you can say, thank God for Halloween.
Best wishes.
Read Renita's Blog Since She Spends Way More Time on It Than She Should: http://www.somethingwithin.com/blog.
You Are Such An Inspiration
Thank you so much for all that you are doing. I watched you on "The Tonight Show" last night. Loved your J. Crew by the way!
I am so hopeful for what you and Barack have envisioned for our country. You both make me so proud. Good luck! You have my vote!
Anali's First Amendment
Thanks Michelle for sharing a bit of
yourself.
This election is so important - for so many reasons. I live in California and am personally affected by some of the issues on the ballot this year. Never before have I spoken up for what I believed in, or told my personal story to so many friends, family and strangers. But this year is different. And I think you're right... it's about getting to know the issues down in the trenches. Discussing, researching, praying -- taking some time for thoughtful contemplation about what matters, and how best to achieve it. And sharing of yourself with others. For me, that has been the big take-away this election season. Speak honestly, and with a brave voice - and even the tears in your eyes will help to give your message wings.
I look forward to inauguration day, when I believe we will watch a new family move into the White House that embodies the message of honesty, truth, compassion and respect for the intelligence of all citizens and their opinions. I'd love to help you get packing if I could!
Have a hopeful week between now and Tuesday, and get your rest, because there is celebrating to be done.
Love Obama
I voted a week ago for the next President of the US OBAMA. I so look forward to a classy awesome wise intellegent First Lady.