Obama pays a visit, perhaps his last, to his grandmother, a beloved supporter (pics)

[bigtree]

New York Times
10/24/2008 07:23:43 PM PDT


Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., boards the plane at the airport after visiting his ailing grandmother in Honolulu Friday, Oct. 24, 2008. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)


HONOLULU — For the last 21 months, she has followed the odyssey of his presidential campaign like a spectator on a faraway balcony.

She underwent a corneal transplant to see him on TV. She reluctantly agreed to film a political ad when he urgently needed to reassure voters about his distinctive American roots. She told him during one of their frequent telephone conversations that it might not hurt if he smiled a bit more.

Friday, Sen. Barack Obama spent the day in Honolulu saying goodbye.

It was an unusual departure from the tug-of-war of the presidential campaign, particularly with only 11 days remaining in the race. But his advisers say he told them that the trip was not negotiable. He was absent when his mother died in 1995, a mistake he said he did not intend to repeat with her mother, a stalwart in his life.

The moment Obama stepped off the plane late Thursday evening, after a nine-hour flight from Indianapolis, his motorcade drove directly to his grandmother's 12-story apartment building, on a residential section of South Beretania Street.


As a light morning mist fell, the sandal-clad senator took a brief walk around his old neighborhood, a pair of sunglasses covering his eyes.

His return to Hawaii was carried live on the local news, but his arrival was subdued. He did not wave to the cameras. There were no leis to welcome him on the breezy airport tarmac. "Somber Obama returns home" was the banner headline in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin on Friday.

Thursday night's visit to Dunham, who will turn 86 on Sunday, lasted a little more than an hour. Obama then returned Friday to her 10th-floor apartment, where he lived from the age of 10. Also present was his sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, who lives in Hawaii. The apartment was flooded with flowers and good wishes from strangers who wrote that they had come to know her from his first book, "Dreams From My Father."

"One of the things I wanted to make sure of is that I had a chance to sit down with her and talk to her," Obama said Friday on the ABC News TV program "Good Morning America." (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27357561/) "She's still alert and she's still got all her faculties, and I want to make sure that — that I don't miss that opportunity right now."

"She is getting a sense of long-deserved recognition at — towards the end of her life," he added.



Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) boards his airplane after a trip to visit his ailing grandmother in Honolulu, Hawaii on October 24, 2008. REUTERS/Hugh Gentry


article: http://www.mercurynews.com/politics/ci_10809782

[Lancer]

1. Men of such decency, kindness and filial loyalty are so rare.

This must be a wrenching time for him, but he has done the right thing. Toot is so grateful to him, I know. We are so lucky to have him.

[whathehell]

15. I agree...I think people sense that about him, along with his

authenticity. He's an excellent man.

[williesgirl]

2. My heart aches for both of them. How great it would be if she could be at his Inauguration or at

least see him elected. My prayers are with his entire family. What a great man. rec'd

[rockymountaindem]

3. This is so sad n/t

[frogcycle]

4. i've been there - twice - as of course have many others

it is tough. a highly personal time, a time for reflection and reminiscence. I am so glad he got this opportunity, and that he took it.

[ColbertWatcher]

5. k+r, n/t

[JNelson6563]

6. Family values

UR doin' it right

[Triana]

7. Oh jeeze. That first picture....

... :cry:

I just want to give him a big hug and fix him some tea.

[grannylib]

8. If she can remain comfortable, I hope she lives to see him elected.

If she's in pain, I pray for a peaceful passing.
What a sad time for him and his family.

[tammywammy]

14. Amen

Exactly.

[bigtree]

9. more pics

article: http://www.khnl.com/Global/story.asp?S=9236560

[Swamp Rat]

10. k&r

O8)

[Hekate]

11. He looks so grieved. He will never be sorry he took this trip. Prayers to all of them. nt

[tammywammy]

12. I ache for him

I wasn't nearly as close to my own grandmother and I remember how devastating her death was to me. She had been bed ridden for 2 years before she passed and I still cry (it's been 8 year) every time I go and visit her (and think that I should have visited more often).

[Mollis]

13. Definently been there

but my friend was in a coma.
He looks so sad, it really brings tears to my eyes.

[cureautismnow]

16. Nov. 4th could be bittersweet.

Here's wishing for a speedy recovery. My heart and thoughts are with Barack and his beloved grandmother. :grouphug:

[madokie]

17. Family first

its ok for a grown man to cry, right

[malaise]

18. Family first

Always and yes men have every right to cry.

[madokie]

19. Thanks Malaise

You are so kind :hug:

[bigtree]

20. yep

It's okay

[SammyWinstonJack]

21. K&R!