Hearing Ann Dunham

When we're kids, Presidents are our fathers' ages. When we make it to adulthood, Presidents fall into the elder-brother bracket. And then there's the shock of a contemporary taking the office. If the President is your own age, Your Generation has taken charge.

Me, I'm looking for the first time at a President young enough to be one of my kids. Ann Dunham's son, Toot Dunham's grandson, is in fact younger than two of my sons.

It may be because I'm in the Grown-Man's-Mother Generation; it may be my memories of being a single working mom raising sons, but I feel like I've been hearing Ann Dunham through all the months of the campaign. Again and again, I watched Obama move with grace, compassion and smarts, and I wished so much she were still alive that I was sure I could hear her saying, "Just look at him. That excellent man is my son."

She was right in my ear when her boy stood victorious in front of the world, his demeanor filled with the import of what he had just done, with the relief and exhaustion of the long campaign, and with the raw grief of losing Toot. When he referred to himself as a mutt at his press conference, I could hear Ann Dunham laughing, loving his confidence and humor.

I'm not sure that I believe in an afterlife, but it seems only fair that there be one for the girl who gave birth to Barack Obama at 18, who struggled to provide for him and instill in him the knowledge that he could do great things. There really must be a place where that woman can see what her boy has done and can say with all due pride, "That's my son, the President of the United States."

Comments

[dharmagal108]

Ann, what an inspiring writer you are. Thanks for a different perspective.

[Holofcener]

Ann,

You say things so beautifully....and speak for all of us. Thank you!

[dl52]

As the world had tears in our eyes as we watched this young man take the weight of the world on his shoulder, we all thank his mother and grandmother for the job they did.

[leliaw]

Right on! I am feeling for his grandmother too and hoping he got to her with the message about what was about to happen. I loved him calling himself a mutt at the press conference. If he had made that remark before last tuesday, the McCain/Palin team would have used it unmercifully. lelia

[Riverrat6point7]

Very nice. You always look at things in new ways and invoke people's humanity. Thanks Mom.

[AnnMedlock]

Thanks, MOM? Lo, it is my youngest actually logging in at HuffPo.

Thanks, kid. And thanks for being one of the new voters who made such a difference.

[hene]

This is a beautiful piece, Ann. It's very maternal and I can tell you really admire and respect this amazing man, Barack Obama. I love the way you pay tribute to his mother. From now on moms everywhere may praying that their daughters will marry a man like Barack -- instead of a doctor or lawyer like in days past!
--Helene

[FoulkeTale]

I love Ann Medlock's piece with its vision of Ann Dunham's spirit being present with her son last Tuesday and thereafter to appreciate his extraordinary accomplishment, as well as the gracious way that he is beginning to step into his new role. Like Medlock, our President Elect is more or less the same age as my younger two children and I share her awe and delight of enjoying being the elder who has turned over the reins into the capable hands of the next generation.

[carolinekn]

Beautifully written! What a joy to examine this success through yet another interesting perspective. Ann Dunham raised a wonderful man, leader and father. Just knowing that kind of loving family is going to be in the White House brings a smile to my face!

[mamwhidbey]

What a superb perspective, a vision from heaven and the heart.

[blaqntelligence]

Ann Medlock,
Like maryella, I've heard so many different perspectives of what this election has meant yet, never considered this one.
I will admit I stumbled over the "boy" but received it in the manner I believe it was given: A mother proud of her child.
He/She will alway be our "little boy" or "little girl".

[AnnMedlock]

Thanks for understanding how it was meant. I wonder if every parent looks at a child and sees those layers of ages behind the adult looking back at them. My kids are turning gray (!) but I can still see them with baby curls. Fortunately, I do manage to keep that to myself, dealing with them as the fine adults they are.

[Pearlswan]

They say that behind every great man there is a great woman--his mother. Barack Obama has been lucky enough to be surrounded by more than one great and heroic woman--his mom Ann and her mom, Toot, Michele and her mom, first-grandmother, Mrs. Robinson. No wonder he is such an excellent man! He's a matriarchal son.

[AnnMedlock]

In all the talk about his cross-cultural savvy, no one's saying that he understands Women, which he very well might, thanks to those stellar females in his life. And gender may be the biggest divide of all.

[gentlebrenda]

It's a relief that we have such a wise and compassionate "excellent man" as a leader,
and.... unless someone has been bred like an animal..... we are ALL "mutts" ! Here's
to valuing essence over superficial appearances .... And here's too all the wonderful,
loving mothers & grandmothers of the world who help raise men of essence !

[dalitso]

Thanks Ann, for a wonderful reminder of the woman behind the man - I'm also sorry his grandmother didn't live to see the announcement made - still I'm sure they are both out there dancing somewhere!

[propitiousmoment]

My brother and I are 50% jewish, 25% danish, and 25% english-fr­ench-irish­. My mother used to call us "thoroughbred mutt" - it's a term of affection, and in my mind exemplifies the "melting pot" idea of America. Gotta love this country, gotta love our new prez, gotta love his forbears for making him what he is, and his wife for the sacrifices she has made to support his journey. I'm so proud of America again, and so relieved to be done with the past 8 years of shame, and so happy that we have such a person who is willing to lead us, and that we had the sense to ask him to do so. God bless America!!!

[AnnMedlock]

What a heritage! The best of many worlds. And lucky you that your mother knew how to "frame it" for you.

[whidbey2]

Ann - a beautiful sentiment. Thanks from one mom to another!