Dear Mr. President:

Thank you for your unwavering dedication to our country. I know you wanted John McCain to win, and so did I. The people spoke, and Barrack Obama is our new President of the United States of America. We pray for President Obama. I had chills run up my spine as I watched on this your final day, the genuine greeting to the new residents of your home. You smiled a smile we haven’t seen in a while. It was 8 years filled with more bad times than good, if we were to ask the press, but for me a mother of four, I say thank you as you made my world a safer place for my family.

I will never forget that day in September, 2001. My husband, a federal employee was at work in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at the Air Traffic Control training center. As we all know, the last bombing had been in that very city.

At home alone in Southern California, with four young children, there was no possible way for my husband to come home. It was a day forever embedded in the minds of all that witnessed that horrific day. I will never forget your face, as you sat in that classroom with those precious young children as the secret service agent whispered in your ear. Your critics say you did not react in the right way. As a mother, I say you reacted the only way you could in the presence of young children who will hold that day forever in their minds.

Only 9 months into your presidency, you were called to the toughest kind of duty. Your country&.our country& was under attack. The trade center had been targeted before, but this was all so new and shocking. So much was unknown as planes went down&. and as buildings blew up. No one could know when it would stop.

As citizens, we can never know what exactly went through your mind on that day, but I am pretty sure, there was no manual for that type of invasion.

A dedicated father, son, uncle, and future grandfather, I knew that you wanted our country safe for every citizen, and especially the children. For this I have no doubt.

For your good intentions, I will always be grateful. You receive the brunt of responsibility for the war in Iraq, but there is so much we the common citizen cannot know about the enemies our country has. The truth of the situation sets you free, as clarity comes to the new President.

Thank you Mr. President. I felt safe during a time that historically was not always the case. Thank you, Mr. President for not having scandalous affairs at the expense of your family. Thank you for respecting the office of the President of the United States. I am sure it was not always easy to hear the criticism, and the downright mean words at your expense, but thank you for standing tall, and taking it. You never blamed the last Administration for their mistakes. You never placed the blame on the 500+ lawmakers in Washington. You stood tall, and took the shots.

You were not the “popular” Hollywood kid, as public speaking is not your best trait. You are too real for the smoke and mirrors that is Hollywood. You didn’t give the big splashy parties, and I truly felt you were more the president for the people, and not the elite. Perhaps as time goes by, that will become more clear. You were not the “celebrity” President that people crave. I am not sure a “celebrity” President could have made the tough choices you did. You endured the heat of the day. The pressures of the times.

Someday in history, you will be remembered well. Maybe not today, but some day. I feel certain of this. Millions of mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters are grateful for the time you gave to our country. You are a good man.

I shed a few tears as I watched your helicopter take off for the last time, not because your time is up, but in gratitude for your courage and grace under fire. Obama was very tough on you during the election, and you carried yourself well. You and Mrs. Bush welcomed them, embraced the change about to begin, and showed the true class you have deep in your soul.

In the land of Fine Parenting, you should be so proud the legacy you leave behind for not only your children, but all of our children.

Thank you, Mr. President. I wish for you today, peace and Godspeed.