Dear President-Elect Obama;
It is with great anticipation, excitement, and hope that I prepare to watch your inauguration. For the first time in my life, I feel that we are on the verge of something magnificent--something that will change the world. I feel blessed to be a part of it.
Mr. Obama, 3 weeks ago I gave birth to my first child, a baby boy. Looking at him, I have been doing a lot of thinking about the future, my hopes and dreams, and the world my son will inherit. I think, "What do I want for him?" I don't care if he becomes a doctor or a lawyer or a ditch digger. What I want for him is much bigger than that.
I want him to be a strong man; I want him to know that strength doesn't mean always getting your way.
I want him to show kindness to others; I want him to remember always the kindness shown to him.
I want him to feel pride; I want him to know humility.
I want him to be healthy; I want him to never take his health for granted.
I want him to be prosperous; I want him to share what he has with those who have not.
I want him to be talented and smart; I want him to work hard to develop his talents and foster his intelligence.
I want him to be successful; I want him never to forget that success is only possible with the help of others.
I want him to find true love; I want him to recognize that love comes in many forms.
I want him to be treated fairly; I want him to stand up against injustice.
I want him to know how to defend himself; I want him to always work for peace.
And when his time is done, I want him to know that he has made the world a better place.
And I realize that these are the very things I want for this country. These are the things I want for you, Mr. Obama. Yes, I want the economy to be fixed, the skies to be cleared, the hungry to be fed, the disenfranchised and marginalized to be empowered, the children to be educated, and for diplomacy to come before war. My son is so tiny, it's hard to believe he will ever become a full-grown man--but I know and have faith that he will. So too, do I have faith in you, Mr. Obama. For the first time since I was small myself, I truly believe that all these things are possible. And to quote John Lennon, you may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.
Thank you,
Shelby Hogan