Good-bye Mrs. D, and thanks for the many jobs well done.
Dear Mrs. Dunham,
Sorry I missed you. I started this post October 22 right around the time Barack left the mainland to visit you. I am listening to him on TV at this moment, for the first time commenting on your passing in the night. He is saying you have “gone home” and is briefly telling the story of your life, characterizing you as a ‘quiet hero’ whose satisfaction came from working to ensure that the next generation, children and grand-children, had a path to a better life. He likened you to all the good people who sacrifice to do the right thing. It was very sweet. You have seen your dear grandson on an enormous path toward an extraordinary goal he might stated as a child, when his Toot asked him what he wanted to do when he grew up. He has made it look easy while we know it’s been a series of trials almost Biblical in sequence. Radical change meets enormous resistance. Barack had to have learned the value of infinite patience in part from you – the cornerstone of the family.
Your belief in education made everything possible for Barack, and he is intent on impressing that belief into the American psyche, as he should. It must have been a kick for you to see intelligence and competence in leadership make a comeback in the person of your grandson, as all the other candidates ran the other way. It has been a long time since we had a candidate who was unabashedly indebted to and thankful for his education. You are a quiet hero.
You should be reveling in greatly deserved joy without distraction right now; and perhaps you are. Is it crass for me to wonder whether or not you were able to vote for Barack? Much sadness at this time but also the prospect of unbelievable pride and joy for the Dunham/Obama/Soetoro-Ng/Robinson family, extending to their friends, neighbors, citizens and country. Tomorrow, I hope that what Barack hopes is true about the country, is true. Thanks again Mrs. D.
With great admiration.
Barbara, DFO Obama ’08
The Dunhams
