May 22, 2007
Dear Malia and Sasha,
I hope you’re doing well. I’m so glad Grandma is spending time with you. Grandmas give us a very special love. It’s a love we’ll treasure the rest of our lives... a love that will comfort us when we grow old. What a blessing to have a grandma around. What quality time and quality care you’re getting!
The world needs more grandmas and mommies like the ones you have. Wonder what would happen if a group of Muslim Mommies for Peace would organize? Sometimes it’s up to women to get the attention of men who are simply out of control.
What do you think?
Love and hugs,
Aunt Becky and... of course... Fred the Wonder Cat
May 16, 2007
Hope all is going well for you and your family.
I bet there’s lots of talk about last night’s debate. Debates help people understand the differences among the candidates who want to become President.
The televised debate your daddy participated in recently reflected a new style of communication. Rather than sniping at and insulting one another, the Democratic candidates conducted themselves with more dignity and respect than I’d ever witnessed.
Your daddy initiated this change in style. When he ran for the Illinois Senate he conducted a “clean” campaign. He refused to say anything negative about his opponent, even when his opponent said negative things about him. This is something quite unusual in political campaigns. Most people running for office attempt to build themselves up and create power for themselves at the expense of an opponent.
Your daddy doesn’t work this way. He deals only with issues. He doesn’t assault people’s dignity. He understands that when we attack someone’s dignity, we rip away a piece of our own souls. Your daddy is a mentsch. (That’s a Yiddish word that means “a person of high character”.) He isn’t interested in power. Instead, he seeks to empower others. He helps us to understand that each individual has strengths, talents, and abilities. He wants us to come together and contribute to our country the very best we have to offer.
Think of all the little pieces of a jigsaw puzzle… each piece is an entity in and of itself. Now, when all those little pieces are put together, they magically form a picture. Your daddy wants us all to join together like those puzzle pieces and create a new picture of the United States… one that depicts tolerance, ethics, equality, fairness, compassion, empowerment, and dignity. He wants us to create a picture that will be appreciated, admired, respected, and emulated by the rest of the world. What a work of art this will be!
Aunt Becky
PS Fred the Wonder Cat sends his usual nuzzles and purrs.
How difficult it must be with Daddy and Mommy so busy, working on the campaign. I’m sure that they would love to spend more time with you. I’m sure of something else, too… that during the time you are together, there's lots of laughter, love, and tenderness.
Right now, your daddy is campaigning for the Presidency of the United States. He has exciting and creative ideas for managing our country. He wants to lead us in building a nation rooted in equality, justice, honesty, trust, dignity, and respect. You see, many, many people we elected to govern us have proven themselves to be lacking in character. They’re selfish, deceptive, and driven by ego and pride.
Your daddy is different. He cares about everyone. He wants to elevate people’s consciousness. He wants us to understand that we are spiritually connected to one another and that we have responsibility toward each other.
At this time, our nation is filled with hopelessness, fear, and despair. For the past four years we’ve been fighting an unnecessary war. Many, many people have died. I pray that by the time you’re adults, people will have learned what your daddy already knew before the war even began… that the way to resolve conflict is through good intention, reason, empathy, and communication… not through willful death and destruction.
Your daddy touches something deep within our hearts and souls. He awakens the goodness in us. He infuses us with energy. We who feel this energy are beginning to shift gears. We’re taking action. We’re climbing upward onto higher ground… onto a path that leads to ethical government, a healthy planet, and compassion for all humanity.
Your mommy helps support us on the journey. She is a woman of substance. Her character shows strength, truthfulness, and devotion. Your daddy relies on her. We rely on your daddy. Some people say that behind every great man stands an even greater woman. I’d bet your daddy would agree.
What extraordinary parents you have, Sasha and Malia. How blessed you are to have been born to them.
With much love,
“Aunt Becky”
