A Letter On Inauguration Day

To our dearest loved ones:

Alexandra, Mikaela, Andy, Eliana, Zachary, Ana, Patrick, Charlotte and Madeleine (and Nikki and Logan),

First of all, we love you so much, and marvel every day at how you have grown, how much you have learned, and at how you continue to become the wonderful young ladies and gentlemen that you are destined to be. While we don’t get the pleasure of seeing you every day, we feel blessed to have such kind, smart and talented young family members to invest our hopes in. Your parents are generous and full of good spirit and humor, and knowing they are raising you gives us great assurance for the future of our country. You have the potential to change the world if you want to. So why are we writing you today, January 20th, 2009? Well, Uncle Paul and I have had quite a day. No, we didn’t see anyone famous—not in person anyway. We are simply reveling in the idea that just a few hours ago, our country swore in the first African-American president, Barack Obama—a man who represents the voices of those who have not been spoken for—a man who works for those who need our help the most. No matter who you wanted to win the election, no one can deny the good that President Obama hopes to do for people of our nation and the world—for those who simply need someone to care about them. We, our nation and the world, have had quite a day indeed.

This day was important for a lot of reasons. Early this morning I thought of the decision I got to make on the day of the primary election. Among the choices were two potential firsts: the first woman president, and the first African-American president. My eyes filled with tears in the voting booth at the thought—I had the chance to make such a historic choice! 89 years ago, I would not have been allowed to vote because I am a woman. In his acceptance speech today, President Obama said that 60 years ago, his father may not have been served in a restaurant because of the color of his skin. And this year, I, a woman, chose between a woman and a black man on the ballot. Today, Barack Obama became our 44^th President. Our country has come very far, even in the few years since you were born. Change can happen fast, and the power of just a few voices can make quite a difference.

And so, of all the important things that come out of today, the point we hope to make to you is very simple. It’s a message that our new president has been making since his early days on the campaign trail. You can make the world a better place by helping others. That’s it. The people who worked so hard for so long to help women and African-Americans to have equal rights did so to make this world—this country, their towns—a better place to live. So whatever it is that you do with your life, I hope that you consider every day whether or not you are making a difference in the life of one creature on this earth.

Maybe you are able to comfort a friend in need.

Maybe you speak up for someone who can’t speak for themselves.

Maybe you organize an event where people can work together for a common goal.

You are much more creative than we are, and we know there are many other ways that you can work for change. If you answer yes—I can make a difference in someone’s life—then you will be working with thousands of others who hope to live the message that President Obama has been saying over and over, “Yes we can.” The historic nature of his presidency is not in the color of his skin alone. He has asked every American to get to work—to think about the person sitting next to you before you think of yourself. I know you have the hearts and minds to change the world if you want to. You can do it one step, one action, one person at a time. Yes you can.

We love you more than you can imagine, and look forward to all that you will accomplish.

With lots of love,

Aunt Rebecca and Uncle Paul