8-year-old in an adorable letter to President Obama: ‘This country needs more spunk’
If you see President Obama sporting a tie-dye shirt while on vacation in Martha’s Vineyard, it’s probably because he’s trying to give the nation a little “more spunk.”
The White House shared Friday an adorable letter from an eight-year-old named Lily who wrote a letter to the president saying she thinks “this country needs more spunk,” even providing suggestions for how he could help.
https://www.facebook.com/WhiteHouse/photos/a.158628314237.115142.63811549237/10154614102304238/?type=3&theater
“With all the attacks, the Zika virus, and the wars, this country is a very sad place,” Lily wrote. “Please do something fun. Wear a tie-dye shirt and shorts to something important. Go on a water skiing trip in the Caribbean. Take your family to Disney World. Do something fun and out going. Also, please say something that will make everyone calm. You do not know how many politics worries I have.
Lily, who describes herself as the president’s “biggest fan,” also wrote that she is from a military family and has aspirations of being president—but only if her first choice falls through.
“My dad is in the Air Force and that inspired me to have my back up job be President. (My dream job is cardiovascular surgeon.) Keep running the country,” she wrote.
Obama responded to Lily’s letter on August 3, a few days before heading to Massachusetts for his annual vacation. His full response is below:
Dear Lily,
Thanks for the fun letters and suggestions. You seem like a great kid, and I can tell you’ve got plenty of spunk to help keep our Nation strong!
While I don’t know how the First Lady or my daughters would feel about me wearing a tie-dye shirt in public, I do know that one of my greatest responsibilities as President is ensuring your generation can thrive — and that includes making sure you can live in safety and reach for boundless opportunity. I know things happening around the world can sometimes be worrisome, but we can make real and lasting progress if young people like you focus on growing and learning and keep speaking out about important challenges our Nation faces. As long as I serve in this Office and beyond, I’ll continue fighting to ensure kids all across our country are limited by nothing but the scope of their imaginations and the size of their dreams.
Again, thank you for the advice — and please tell your dad how grateful I am for his service. Wherever your hard work and talents take you — whether it’s becoming a cardiovascular surgeon, the President of the United States, or chasing a dream you’ve yet to discover — always remember that you have a big role to play in shaping the world and making a difference in people’s lives. Your enthusiasm and drive give me great hope for the future, and I am confident you can achieve your highest aspirations if you put your best effort into everything you do. I expect great things from you!
Your friend,
Barack Obama
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