A very sad day for our next (hopefully) President:
Statement from Barack Obama and Maya Soetoro-Ng on the Death of Their GrandmotherUpdate: Okay, now that I've posted it, and sat with it a couple minutes, I realize just how struck I am. I have known loss. More than my share it seems. I am also a very stoic guy and don't emote so much. I have been surfing and reading all that the blogosphere has to say about this loss, and the woman, and the man she raised. I keep wiping tears from my face. She is owed a debt of gratitude for raising Barack to be the kind of man he is, and the kind of man he will be when he is President.
It is with great sadness that we announce that our grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, has died peacefully after a battle with cancer. She was the cornerstone of our family, and a woman of extraordinary accomplishment, strength, and humility. She was the person who encouraged and allowed us to take chances. She was proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and left this world with the knowledge that her impact on all of us was meaningful and enduring. Our debt to her is beyond measure. Our family wants to thank all of those who sent flowers, cards, well-wishes, and prayers during this difficult time. It brought our grandmother and us great comfort. Our grandmother was a private woman, and we will respect her wish for a small private ceremony to be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make a donation to any worthy organization in search of a cure for cancer.
Thank you Mrs. Dunham. If I believed in ghosts, I would hope that you are able to watch the fruit of your labor ascend, and bring us with him.
