I met Michelle Obama March 13, 2008 in Ardmore PA when Barack Obama was the candidate. I asked her when I met her when she would run for office because I would vote for her.

I never forgot this day. Or her. She struck such a chord in me even back then.

I met her because my friend Daylin Leach got me into this very small gathering- 50 women at St. George’s in the Haverford Township side of Ardmore. Daylin knew I wanted to meet her and that was a great kindness because back then I was definitely a Republican although I was starting to split my ticket more and more.

There were 50 of us in attendance but I think in a way we were out numbered by the press and Secret Service.

12 years and a lifetime ago. Time well spent and forever memorable.

A friend of mine asked me today her reply to my asking her when she was running for office. Actually she didn’t answer all. All she did was smile and ask me to vote for her husband.

It was because of her and that meeting that day that I actually really started to seriously consider her husband as being someone whom I would vote for.

Michelle Obama moved me last night like she did in 2008. She cuts through the BS and speaks to you, the individual. Here is an excerpt from her speech:

📌 “ ….I’ve met so many of you. I’ve heard your stories. And through you, I have seen this country’s promise. And thanks to so many who came before me, thanks to their toil and sweat and blood, I’ve been able to live that promise myself.

That’s the story of America. All those folks who sacrificed and overcame so much in their own times because they wanted something more, something better for their kids.

There’s a lot of beauty in that story. There’s a lot of pain in it, too, a lot of struggle and injustice and work left to do. And who we choose as our president in this election will determine whether or not we honor that struggle and chip away at that injustice and keep alive the very possibility of finishing that work…..As I’ve said before, being president doesn’t change who you are; it reveals who you are. Well, a presidential election can reveal who we are, too.”📌

Visit Vox to read the whole speech. Visit CNN for a full video of the speech.

I know that my post will secretly and not so secretly upset a lot of those I know whom are still quite conservative. And to them, with all due love and respect, you need to get over it. You also need to be honest with yourself about what is working and not working in this country. And essentially there’s more that’s not working then actually working. That is pure and simple a top-down leadership or more specifically lack of leadership issue.

With regard to the last four years, I think it’s all a little Wizard of Oz-ish. But we haven’t been paying enough attention to the man behind the curtain.

But every time I hear Michelle Obama speak I am again reminded of the possibilities. The possibilities and hope for a better tomorrow. I actually really wish she would run for something because she is amazing. And inspiring.

Last night I was reminded of when I met her in a small setting. I still like her. I thought I would share my memory with my readers.

This November the choice is simple: do you want four more years of what we have been experiencing or are you willing to reach for a better America?

Keep Calm and Carry On.