Madelyn Dunham, Barack Obama’s grandmother and the person whom he credits with much of his upbringing and character is in ill health, and Obama is taking several days off late this week to go see her in Hawaii.
Obviously Barack would not be traveling to Hawaii at this specific time unless there were grave concerns for his grandmother’s well being.
We wish Mrs. Dunham and all of her family well.
Madelyn Dunham has put her family before her own needs, choosing with her husband to live in the small apartment she inhabits to this day rather than a house, in part so her grandson could attend Ponahou preparatory school. “We never suffered”, she told David Mendell when interviewed for his book “From Promise to Power”. “We’re not poverty stricken.”
Mrs. Dunham grew her career by her own hand from an entry-level clerk to the first Vice President at the Bank of Hawaii. She provided the seriousness and work ethic that has seen Barack to where he has gone in life. “I’ll admit that I did give him a few kicks in the pants,” she told Mendell. “Not many, but a few.”
Madelyn Dunham sums up much of what makes America great, as do so many of our grandmothers. My own grandmother came from extremely humble roots, raised five children alone and saw them all into successful lives. Among her grandchildren she was – and is – an example that leads us all to this very day. I speak for the twelve of us cousins when I say we would all rather lose a hand than do anything to disappoint Gramma. I think Gramma Dammie would have liked you, Mrs. Dunham.
Thank you for all you have done, Mrs. Dunham. Best to you and your wonderful family.
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