Becoming by Michelle ObamaMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Becoming, by Michelle Obama, is not a dramatic revelation of a heroic, sacrifcial servant of humanity, nor is it a fantasy about a SuperWoman none of us could hope to imitate.
Becoming is the confession of an ordinary woman, blessed in extraordinary ways, who year by year, month by month, day by day faced the same struggles most women face - balancing home and work and a spouse whose demanding career and lofty purpose competed with both their vision for their family and their mutually supportive relationship as a couple.
Becoming, is the confessions of a bossy little girl who grew up in a loving family who insisted on the best she could perform and fought to protect her from poor academic situations.
She absorbed her parents' commitment to each other and their children in good times and bad, rich or poor, in sickness and in health, as her model of what a marriage must be, what her future marriage must Become.
Becoming, is the confession of a Harvard-educated woman whose husband's extremely high intelligence and tendency to lose himself in deepest thought concerning the well being of America and all humankind left her a bit ashamed of commenting on her novel or People magazine.
Day by day, choice by choice, Michelle charts her path, preparing for the challenges she faces and learning how to handle the unanticipated.
Her choice to focus on healthy eating and exercise was her response to a threat to her own children's health due to the pressures of living on the campaign trail. What I thought had been a long term discipline was a new part of what Michelle was Becoming.
Believing every child... every woman can Become what their gifts and experiences have prepared them to be, having the strength to choose for themselves and the grace grow without condemnation is Michelle's desire for everyone. Working to give them opportunities, support and education to Become is Michelle's passion.
Michelle frequently shares events and thoughts that do not cast her in the best light, details that could have easily been left out to allow her image the greatest shine. I found myself saying, "But Michelle...." then realized her honesty is a refusal to hide that, like you or me, she's an ordinary woman who thinks, "What about me?" like I sometimes do. She's not perfect, but her heart is right, and like me and you, she is still Becoming.
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