“Becoming”

I usually do not read biographies or autobiographies. They just never really interested me, however, because I am am huge Michelle Obama fan, I decided to give her book Becoming a try.

I was hooked from the very beginning. She told her story with honesty and intimacy. She allows us into her childhood describing her family Dynamics and relationships. I love how she grew up in a big family, surrounded by uncles, aunts and cousins.

Her parents were lower middle class and they encouraged their children to reach beyond their circumstances and dream big for themselves.

I could definitely relate to Michelle’s ungoing questioning of herself, asking, “Am I good enough?” It is something I continually ask myself.

I could also relate to her desire to instill a sense of independence and confidence in her daughters. I have tried to instill those same qualities in my own daughter.

Mrs. Obama is honest about her trials and tribulations. Her father’s illness and death, her miscarriage and infertility and the marriage counseling her and Barack attended.

She makes clear that bringing her family into the world of politics was not her first choice, but she used her stage to champion those topics that meant the most to her.

One question kept cropping up in my mind as I read, why do some people thrive in spit of their circumstances, while others flounder and fail? Are they born with an inner drive or is that fire lit and kept burning their caregivers? Perhaps it is a bit of both. In any case Michelle Obama has that fire, that drive to spend her life making a difference. She inspires me to follow my dreams at any age and to aspire to make a difference in this world. I was left wanting more. I am excited to see what Michelle does next!