Two good first lady stories:
When I was growing up, my parents had family friends who were also from Northern Ireland (like my dad is). The wife came through Ellis Island as a small child in the 30's. When she arrived with her family, she was sick. The immigration officers refused to accept her, and told her mother that she and the little girl would have to go back. The girl started to sob and the whole family was brought together to say goodbye to each other so the mother and child could be put in quarantine, while the father and other children were staying in America and headed for NYC. During this goodbye, a woman walked up to the girl and asked her why she was crying. The girl blurted out that she was sick and had to back to Ireland, but her family got to stay in America without her. The woman grabbed her by the hand, and led her up to the immigration officers. She looked at them and said "It's clear that the girl just has a cold, and she'll be better in a few days. She's STAYING." The immigration officer signed the papers and sent them all on their way.
They later learned that the woman was Eleanor Roosevelt, who just happened to be touring Ellis Island that day. For the rest of her life, she always credited Eleanor Roosevelt for keeping her family together, and possibly saving the life of herself and her mother.
The other story isn't really a story but an observation. We were in Washington last month, and went to visit the "first ladies dresses" exhibit at the Smithsonian. It was a wonderful exhibit with about 25 first lady dresses from various important events. They were all very unique and beautiful. Anyway, there is a video that they show of the day that Michele Obama handed over her dress from the Inaugural Ball to the Smithsonian for the display. The designer was there, MO, the Smithsonian guys, and some other people. She gives a little speech about how uncomfortable she is about everyone fussing over her dress, and it was just wonderfully done and she made it more about the designer than about her. I was so impressed with this short 10 minute video - it's really worth seeing if anyone is in the Smithsonian.
Same thing most of our mother's would say to us. I think she has a great sense of humor and her family is the most important thing to her!
