My father, Fraser, taught me to work har, laugh often, and keep my word. My mother, Marian, showed me how to think for myself and to use my voice. Together, in our cramped apartment on the South Side of Chicago, they helped me see the value in our story, in my story, in the larger story of our country. Even when it’s not pretty or perfect. Even when it’s more real than you want it to be. Your story is what you have, what you will always have. It is something to own.
For every door that’s been opened to me, I’ve tried to open my door to others. And here is what I have to say, finally: Let’s invite one another in. Maybe then we can begin to fear less, to make fewer wrong assumptions, to let go of the biases and stereotypes that unnecessarily divide us.
Michelle Obama brings so many different threads of her life together in this book – her own childhood, education, dating, marriage, career, motherhood, first lady….. It is quite accessible, an easy read. I skimmed through some of the policy stuff, but enjoyed the peek into the White House, and really appreciated the wide ranging wisdom and insights that she offers throughout. (She reads the audible copy of this book, not sure why I didn’t wait and get that – it would have added an extra layer of goodness.)