Class. There are attempts to teach it, but mostly, it usually is…or it isn’t. President Barack Obama has it. What prompts me to say this? Here is one example. In January of 1989, I lived in Chicago, where I met President Barack Obama as a Community Organizer. I wound up having two one-on-one conversations with him. I also attended an all-day training in Community Organizing where he was one of the lead trainers. Since this was prior to him meeting Michelle, in one of our private conversations, he spelled out what he was looking for in a potential wife. I know that God’s main gift to me is the fact that only the President and I heard what was said during our conversations. I get that unique distinction. My conversations with the President became the basis of one of the stories in my book, Reality’s Pen: Reflections On Family, History & Culture. In November of 2015 or so, I sent a copy of my book to President Obama as a gift, directing him to the story within it about my earlier meetings with him. Two months later, I received a letter in the mail addressed from, “The White House, Washington, DC 20500.” The note you see is what was inside. My first reaction was humility, knowing that the most powerful person on planet Earth had his people at least take the time to respond to me. I was just humbled. It was such a classy response. The question that will eternally play in my mind, is, “Will President Obama read my book?” I am hoping that his departure from The White House leads to a time of rest and relaxation, lending itself to more free time to read for leisure. Regardless of whether President Obama does or does not read my book, the question is such a positive and pleasant one for me to ponder forever.
2 Comments
His lasting imprint and legacy is already being felt. Keep up the good work. Hope everyone will get a copy of your book. Fascinating stories inside!
Thanks Skip!