A Letter From President Obama, on my father's death.


Dear Mike:

Thank you for the moving letter you sent this spring. I was touched by your words, and saddened to learn of the passing of your father, Patrick.
Stories like your father's remind me why I ran for this office in the first place, and I trust you take great pride in his legacy of service and in the values he passed on to you. Please know your message will remain in my thoughts, and I will not stop fighting to build a brighter future for our nation.

Sincerely,
Barack Obama
9/3/2013

------------------my letter to President Obama 5/20/2013-------------------

Dear President Obama,
My father and I met you in July of 2004 at the Depue, Illinois VFW. It was just a few weeks after your address before the Democratic Convention. I was the last person in line to shake your hand after you had addressed the people gathered to meet you. I told you I was not sure you understood or were aware of the hope and promise that people saw in you. As you signed a copy of your convention speech that I had brought with me, I added, "Don't get the big head when you get to Washington, DC." You motioned to Michele and said, "She won't let me."
Neither of you have disappointed me. Both of you have inspired me as you have held your poise and grace in the face of vitriol most extreme and regrettable. But you should never lose sight of the fact that for every bitter voice there are many more that quietly admire and respect you.
My father passed over on March 3rd of this year. His last few years were a struggle. His last days were hard. As we talked the day before he passed into the Great Silence he told me he was glad he had lived long enough to see you re-elected. A life-long Democrat, a former precinct committeeman, he took great comfort knowing you were putting this nation back on the path of prosperity and respectibility. You gave my father something to smile about during his long goodbye. For that I am forever grateful.
Respectfully,
Mike Kohr


A SMILE
A smile is a very special thing. It costs nothing, but gives so much.
It creates happiness in the home. It fosters goodwill in business.
It is rest to the weary, daylight to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad.
It happens in a flash, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever.
Yet it cannot be begged, bought, or stolen.
It is something that is of no value to anyone until it is given away.
Some people are too tired to give you a smile. Give them one of yours.
For no one needs a smile as much as he who has no more to give.
-Olde Irish Saying-