It’s family that comes first for the First Family

Celebrated poet Geoffrey Chaucer penned “all good things must come to an end” and so has the eight-year-old tenure of Barack Hussein Obama, the 44th President of the United States. He will be remembered for many of his key policy decisions, achievements and even failures during his regime.
From health care reforms to Iran deal to bringing the crisis-ridden US economy back to track – every measure point to one thing. This first African American president was a great leader, who cared about the general public and masses.

He would be equally remembered for his fondness for his lovely family.

The life of Hawaii-born Obama remained extremely hectic while he was in the White House. But interestingly somehow he managed to spend enough quality time with his family.

He could be seen hanging around with his wife Michelle and daughters Malia and Sasha whenever and wherever it was possible. There were rarely any public speeches in which he didn’t mention his wife or children.

Obama And Family Go To Sunday ChurchSometime the US First Lady could be seen writing funny thank you note to her ‘swagalicious’ husband, as she had called Obama during an interview last year, on TV shows. At other times, Obama could be heard praising his wife in public for being his best friend for more than 25 years.
The dad-of-two made sure that his children get the taste of hard work. He let his 15-year-old daughter got for a summer job at Nancy’s, a popular seafood restaurant on Martha’s Vineyard.

Sasha — who’s been going by her full name Natasha while on the clock — had been helping out at the takeout window, and was in charge of such tasks as manning the cash register and busing tables.

Like any normal father, Obama broke down in tears after he saw his daughter Malia’s viral twerk video at a local concert. The outgoing president, according to some reports, had almost collapsed in Michelle’s arms and they had to call a paramedic to be on the safe side.

Obama may give a lesson or two on time management to the leaders and top business executives who say they are not left with enough quality time to spend with their families.

There are many cases where kin of very popular leaders got into bad habits and befriended wrong people as their parents were too busy to focus on their children.

Ironically, Obama once wrote that being in the White House has actually made his family’s life “more normal.”

“It just so happens that I’m fortunate enough to be surrounded by women,” Obama wrote about his wife and the daughters in a publication last year.  “They’re the most important people in my life. They’re the people who’ve shaped me the most. And in this job, they are my sanctuary.”

Many things in life fall under extremely important category. But one should set his or her priorities right. Family must come first. If a leader can’t take care of his or her family, how can one expect him or her to find solutions to the complicated problems of the masses.

Obama’s second term is set to end at noon on Jan. 20, 2017. Now he will have all the time for his daughter and wife, who had said that the first thing she wants to do when her husband’s term concludes is go shopping in Target and sit in a public park.Obama knows how to balance personal life and work.

Despite being a public figure, he managed well to keep his personal life private. Since he will now be free from the presidential duties, Obama shall come forward and give us tips on how to be a happy family amid all the chaos of life.

letters@tehelka.com