Friday, December 15, 2017

In Which I Cry on the Way Home From the Library


And this is why. I bought two copies of the book for gifts, with the possible ulterior motive of looking through the book myself before I wrapped it. When the books arrived, they were wrapped in plastic because they're so big and heavy (over 5 pounds; I weighed one!), and I didn't want to risk breaking the binding by removing the plastic before gifting them. I've dithered about buying one for myself, so I was thrilled to see that that my little borough library had a copy. I walked up, happily checked out the book, but had to sit down on the church steps across from the library because I simply couldn't wait for a quick perusal.


Then I started to cry. The top photo is Press Secretary Robert Gibbs' to-do list: eggs, milk, bread, hope, change; the bottom one is Obama discussing health care with Paul Ryan. It reminded me of the glorious eight years when I had hope, and when millions of people had health care before Paul Ryan and his cohorts started chipping away at it.


Obama consoling Joe Biden at Beau Biden's funeral was sad in a different way.


And then there is this photo. I composed myself and started the walk home,


tears welling again when I looked at the photo on the back cover.


There are plenty of photos that made me smile, too. Obama joking, being a father, and coaching Sasha's basketball team,


getting zapped by Spiderman,


and greeting the Dalai Lama.


It really is a wondrous collection, showing Pete Souza's talent and Obama's thoughtfulness, caring, and humanity. The book is beautiful and so worthwhile; I'll be buying my own copy after my budget recovers from Christmas. It reminded me of those halcyon days when I didn't have sleepless nights worrying about the threat of nuclear war and a cruel tax overhaul that is going to change our family's financial picture in a big way, along with millions of others. These photos remind us of the sanity and goodwill that we are now missing, when Presidents used to read, and the time when a decent, hard-working man lived in the White House. I hope you get a chance to look through it and be reminded, as I was, of all the good we must continue to fight for.

22 comments:

  1. Thank you Bonny, we lost a man of such decency. I,ll save your post to look at over and over again.

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    1. Thank you, Donna. I have to have hope that a decent man will return to the White House soon.

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  2. I have this book on my Wishlist - I may have to just fulfill my own wishes. :-)

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  3. Oh, Bonny, I have been looking for and resisting this book since it came out. I know Obama wasn't perfect, but he was a decent and honorable man, and I miss him so much! I think I may have to buy a copy for my husband because looking at pictures like this seem to cheer him up. Like you, they make me very emotional. I know some of it is just my personal grief for the loss of a more sane and secure feeling about who is in charge, but a lot of it is grief for the country's loss. And it has been a loss for most of us, and we will reap the mean spirited actions of this administration for decades, I'm afraid. Thanks for sharing your look inside this book! Happy Friday!

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    1. It's bittersweet to look through the book as it highlights how things are now the complete opposite of those eight years, but ultimately it is hopeful. Books never made me cry, so it was quite an experience to sit on the wet church steps with tears running down my face. It was a personal grief, but like you, I feel grief for the whole country. I have to have hope that we had a caring, hard-working sane man as president, so it can happen again. I think (and hope!) the book might also give your husband some cheer.

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  4. Thank you for sharing this, Bonny. I have many things to say . . . but my thoughts are just getting all scrambled now, so I think I'll just go make a cup of tea instead. What a lovely, lovely book -- and a perfect tribute to a kind, decent, intelligent, Presidential President. XO

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  5. I take much comfort in this community and knowing so many kind, smart and caring women who think just like me, and you, who can so beautifully put some of those thoughts into words. xxoo.

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  6. Now I'm crying! Thank you for sharing your thoughts, it helps me to remember that we are not alone in all of this. That book is going on my after Christmas list too!

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  7. I have added this book to my wish list as well. Beautiful words Bonny, to accompany a beautiful man.

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  8. Ooo, I'll have to look for this. Did you hear the interview with Souza on Fresh Air? https://www.npr.org/programs/fresh-air/2017/11/07/562463719/fresh-air-for-nov-7-2017-photographer-pete-souza-reflects-on-8-years-of-obama

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  9. Pete Souza is in my Instagram feed and it was fun to watch his process of deciding which pictures made it into the book. He even took public poles so we had a say. He's a lovely man and I've listened to several interviews with him and think he is a national treasure, as was his boss. Make sure you get your own book soon. You deserve it!

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  10. You ve got me near tears too. Thank you . We have to have HOPE again

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    1. Despite the bittersweet reminders of all that we've lost that are contained in this book, it is still hopeful. Like you, I think we have to keep up our hope and work towards the better!

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  11. Thank you Bonny. and yes, we all need to remain hopeful that change WILL occur and that decency WILL return.

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  12. I miss him so very much, he is a great leader and now, well, I'm treading water until 2018 when the midterms come.

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  13. Yes yes and yes - I agree with every word you wrote here! And this book is going on my wishlist! I love those photos!!

    Linda in VA

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  14. I can't say he was always a favorite in our house but boy oh boy do I miss his integrity, humor, CLASS and humanity. We will get through this.

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  15. I have to believe that kindness and decency will prevail eventually. Last January I read that progress isn't a straight line that there are bumps and backslides along the way. I am holding onto hope that this season brings. The book looks beautiful.

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  16. And now we have a president who speaks like a second-grader writes. Sad!

    If nothing else (but there WAS so much else) President Obama had class, a sense of humor and a true love for children. And then there is ...............well, let's not go there. :-(

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  17. Obama and family had so much class. And humor and intelligence and humanity and integrity. Unlike someone else who now lives in The People's House.

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  18. I've been eyeing this book as well. I follow Pete Souza on instagram and his posting of photos from the Obama years juxtaposed with the horror of our current occupant is heartbreaking and bittersweet. I feel like Obama was the best president of my lifetime, I can't imagine anyone else being as smart, caring, dedicated and fun as Obama.

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  19. *sigh* *tears* Pete Souza's Instagram account is one of my all-time favorites, though a bittersweet daily reminder of the crap in which we are currently mired.

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