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I rarely do articles related to a current unfolding event, but today I will break the rule because our ‘son’ is finally home. After years of waiting and hoping, our ‘son’ Obama has finally agreed to visit the land of his ancestors as a sitting US President. I will leave the security and logistical nightmare to the news pages; and concentrate on Michelle Obama and why I do not envy her status at all.
Even though majority of women might envy her because of the prestige and perks of being wife of the most powerful man on earth, there are some simple pleasure us women married to the hoi polloi enjoy that Michelle had to give up because of her status. Here goes:
Random women talk: Women are social creatures and we like to occasionally engage in salon banter and just contribute to a random discussion. The salon is the headquarters of gossip and once in a while even the not-so-chatty mama finds herself contributing to the discussion when it gets sizzling. I am sure immediately she walks into her regular salon, the conversation switches 360 degrees to accommodate her grand status. But I am sure she would not mind catching up on the gossip because after all she’s human.
Spontaneous dates with Obama, the girlfriends: There is nothing as good as going on a random dinner or ice cream dates with dear hubby without the battalion of security team sneaking up on you. A girl sometimes just wants to be with her man in that cosy down-town restaurant where nobody can recognise them as they stare into each other’s eyes. But Michelle has lost that privilege. Mr President’s and her presence on a date will cause so much commotion from the other diners. Everyone will forget what brought them there as they stare at the First Family.
Parenting in private: Parenting is a mission that ought to be done without the glare and scrutiny from the media: Michelle cannot attend a simple parents’ day at Malia and Sasha’s school without causing unnecessary attention. But a mother just wants to attend her child’s prize giving day like the others and watch peacefully as baby girl performs without uncalled for stares from other curious parents.
A simple visit to the grocery store: There are certain things that are core for women like shopping. There is nothing as liberating as just going on a shopping spree in bargain stores with your girlfriends and being girls as you enjoy the outdoors chatting away like teenagers. Unlike us ordinary women, Michelle cannot ‘dash to the supermarket’.
Just be herself: There are some days a woman just wants to be herself. Let down her hair, do away with the cakes of make-up, the expensive trendy clothes for the comfortable pants and a T-shirt and just be herself. A woman at times wants to take a walk alone and head perhaps to the park and connect with her creator without the media concluding that her marriage is on the rocks. Those are just but a few simple pleasures Michelle cannot afford to enjoy.
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