Read and Review: Michelle Obama "Becoming"

Note to readers: Part three of "Leaving Time" will be posted tomorrow!

Verse of the day: Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be fulfilled.

No amount of words can express how powerful of a being Michelle Obama truly is, and in order to get so much as a taste of that fact: You. Must. Read. The. Book!

My thoughts?: I've always expressed the importance of being able to relate to an audience. The "Connect" factor that enables others to build a relationship with the author. From her humble beginnings, Michelle was nothing short of both admirable AND relatable. Her childhood in Chicago, her playground and classroom experiences, the young relationships she built, it all draws out a clear and much overlooked picture; She started somewhere just like we all have and will. She's been sure and unsure, confident and self-conscious, she has had her triumph and tragedy, she is a human being with a once upon a time.

Mrs. Obama shows us the vulnerability and strength of Michelle that had to be taught, nurtured and guided to become all that she is, I am in awe at her transparency, she doesn't give you room to make guesses about her character or her intentions. I found myself rather amused by her blatant honesty concerning how she viewed politics and her husbands involvement with them.

Michelle Obama's relationship with Barack is in itself something to be admired and taken heed of from women both married and soon to be wed. Nothing about being the spouse of someone of importance in our community is "simple" however, with the right mindset it is possible. Let's be real, how many of us would be able to tolerate or have patience with the idea of our husbands being away from home for weeks or month at a time without the thought that "maybe it wasn't worth it." The drop of a dime schedules, the conferences, the mountains of paperwork that create physical walls between you, the lack of time he would have for anything other than addressing a group of his peers to convince he was good enough, publishing his work and preparing for future events? Not many. Even for Michelle it took growing pains, but she accomplished being apart from Barack through establishing herself as an individual. (read that again.) She had to know that her place at Barack's side was of great importance not only as his wife for a mouth piece for greater changes to come. Her compassion for the community of youth and women of the world concerning it's health and education sparked flames in the hearts of all who heard her.

Mrs. Obama is an advocate to women of color around the world, the first African American First Lady, the world has ever known. She has opened the door for more firsts such as herself, with a message: "Don't allow anyone to tell you what you can't afford to be, because what you can't afford is to not be all that you can."

I commend the parents of Michelle and here's why: What they wanted and needed were one and the same, they did not care to have the "ideal" they desired what was indeed "real" in terms of a family atmosphere. They never put on heirs to be things that they weren't, they did not try to live beyond reason and built their principles on unity and love, both of which they had shown to their children all of their lives. This resulted in Michelle not only being well-rounded and pro-dependence until proven unable, it instilled in her unbreakable morals and values.

They allowed their children to communicate about their woes without being referee's "you can talk to me, I'll give you my thoughts, but ultimately the choice is yours." That could NOT have been easy for either of them, but for the sake of the children they loved, it was done and it payed off. She became the woman she needed to be for herself first and for Barack after.

It did not happen overnight, she had to be primed, guided and instructed even after Barack's presidency, her growth was strengthened by the mere fact that she was never afraid to learn what she didn't. In due time was a woman of class with standards and could be self-sufficient among her many charms.

Above all those things, I admire her as a mother. In any circumstance, she ensured Malia and Sasha's happiness and comfort first, no matter the arrangements to be made. She wanted for them what her mother gave to her: love, patience and an open ear to their woes. Her selflessness was something to be spoken of highly. To me, Mrs. Obama is one of the most influential women of her time and I pray she has all the peace of mind, love and happiness that she has given to the world, and the support she so rightly deserves.

"You can not be, until you become."

Rating: 5 out of 5 Quills, will read again and highly suggested!

not my pic, taken from wix