An open letter to the President of the United States of America

To President Barack Obama,

                I did not vote for you. During your initial campaign, I was still in high school and thus too young to vote; when you ran for re-election, I found that the change I wanted to see in this country wasn’t exactly the change you were promising to take with you to the presidential seat – so once again, I did not add my voice to those in your support.

                But never once, in the past 8 years, have I questioned your devotion to this nation. You have done your best to honor and serve the position you have held, and I have faith in your ability to continue to do so throughout the remainder of your days in office.

                We may agree on many issues, we may disagree on more – but my voice isn’t the only voice in this place I call home, and you have done your best to listen to the ones that are struggling far more than I. You have heard the cries of those in oppression and taken strides many would not take to bring them out of obscurity. I have a deep admiration for your ability to calm the crowd, to stand tall in affliction, and above all – to love, without prejudice.

                You stand where many, and yet few men have stood before – at the end of your road as our nation’s president. While few understand the burdens you’ve held, and even fewer the steps you’re about to take, I want you to know that you are not alone. We may be different – so very different – in our personal and our political beliefs; nevertheless – I am honored to have known a nation under you.

                You are not leaving behind a legacy of war. 

                Thank you. 

                You have not dislodged the important freedoms I hold most dear. 

                Thank you. 

                You have not cast people out, nor closed the doors to this nation of second chances. 

                Thank you. 

                You have striven to stand behind the Constitution of the United States – upholding its principles and laws to the best of your understanding and ability. 

                Thank you. 

                Finally, and perhaps most importantly of all, you have stood by your family through thick and thin. You have understood that – be it blood, bond, or borders that bring us together – family, above all, comes first.

                There has been a sad legacy of infidelity with some leaders in our past – one that the stress of your job might, to some, excuse – but you have stood by your children and your wife, putting them first in all. Never once have I, nor the public, seen you neglect that role of father and husband: one that stands of much greater and eternal purpose than the role you will retire at the start of next year.

   You have always put us second, and your blood first, and for that, I am extremely grateful. You have shown a remarkable ability of devotion under the scrutiny of a public media eye looking for disgrace; for that I applaud you.

   Thank you for your limits – for being human, and accepting your faults.

   Thank you for showing your willingness to stand – accepting your role as a leader during difficult times.

   Thank you for sticking to those goals you cared about most – even, and especially when they were goals that were not met with universal approval.

   Disagreement is what makes this nation strong. The choice to even have a voice – in approval or dissent – is a freedom not all nations share; and that my voice can be heard without fear of imprisonment is something for which I will always be grateful.

   Perhaps I will never find my “perfect and ideal” president until I am the one walking through those oval office doors; Even then, I’m afraid I would greatly disappoint my expectations.

   For this, I am also grateful.

   I am grateful to live in a world where imperfect people are willing and able to serve those just as imperfect as they. I am grateful for change – for the chance to learn and grow from others, of a different race, culture, and belief. I am grateful to be a citizen of these United States.

Thank you, President Obama, for your years of service.

Thank you, President Obama, for the months that will come.

I am proud to have you in my country’s history.

Sincerely,

  A citizen of the United States of America

P.S.

             Don’t worry about Tuesday. It will come and go.

             No matter what happens, you have at least one voice here ready to support whoever fills your seat, regardless of whether or not they got my vote.