Barack Obama shared his favorite inspirational stories of 2017, reminding us that this year wasn’t all bad
Do yourself a favor and follow Barack Obama on Twitter. Like, right now.
The former POTUS and America’s favorite dad takes to the social media platform regularly to send warm holiday wishes, share adorable photos of his family, and keep us updated on his post-White House adventures. But on Friday, December 29th, he used Twitter to share his favorite inspirational stories of 2017…and now we’re crying.
In combining three uplifting stories about everyday American heroes, Obama reminded us what was best about America in 2017 — and just how much we miss having him and his family in the White House. (Seriously, how many former presidents do you know who would sing holiday songs with feminist Christmas carolers?)
Seems like we’re not the only ones who love Obama’s Twitter feed. Out of the 10 most retweeted tweets in 2017, Obama had three. THREE! He even scored the most-liked tweet in Twitter history when he quoted Nelson Mandela in response to this summer’s deadly white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. The tweet received over 4.6 million likes and 1.7 million retweets.
Obama began his thread by acknowledging that 2017 was…er, not great. But, in classic Obama fashion, he made us remember that there are countless stories from this year that exemplify the American spirit.
As we count down to the new year, we get to reflect and prepare for what’s ahead. For all the bad news that seemed to dominate our collective consciousness, there are countless stories from this year that remind us what's best about America.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 29, 2017
He first reminded us about Kat Creech.
Kat Creech, a wedding planner in Houston, turned a postponed wedding into a volunteer opportunity for Hurricane Harvey victims. Thirty wedding guests became an organization of hundreds of volunteers. That’s a story from 2017. https://t.co/yxhjwkr5Se
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 29, 2017
Creech is a Houston wedding planner who transformed a postponed Labor Day wedding — and some 30 wedding guests — into a volunteer relief operation for Hurricane Harvey victims.
We’re not crying, you’re crying.
Next, Obama tweeted about NFL player Chris Long.
Chris Long gave his paychecks from the first six games of the NFL season to fund scholarships in Charlottesville, VA. He wanted to do more, so he decided to give away an entire season’s salary. That’s a story from 2017. https://t.co/NL0RoARkan
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 29, 2017
The Eagles defensive end donated six paychecks to his hometown of Charlottesville to fund scholarships for underserved youth. In fact, he ended up giving away his salary for the entire season to help advocate for educational equity in St. Louis, Boston, and Philadelphia — all the cities for whom he’s played.
Our hearts!
And for Obama’s last story?
Ten-year-old Jahkil Jackson is on a mission to help homeless people in Chicago. He created kits full of socks, toiletries, and food for those in need. Just this week, Jahkil reached his goal to give away 5,000 “blessing bags.” That’s a story from 2017. https://t.co/muxPZnEGkd
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 29, 2017
Meet 10-year-old Jahkil Jackson, a 10-year-old who helps the homeless in Chicago by handing out “blessing bags” full of socks, toiletries, and food. So far, Jahkil’s given away a total of 5,000 “blessing bags” to those in need.
We just…can’t…even…
In Obama’s words, these powerful stories serve as a reminder of the meaningful change that can happen when Americans “get involved, get engaged, and stand up.”
All across America people chose to get involved, get engaged and stand up. Each of us can make a difference, and all of us ought to try. So go keep changing the world in 2018.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 29, 2017
“Each of us can make a difference, and all of us ought to try,” Obama tweeted. “So go keep changing the world in 2018.”
Now that’s some presidential tweeting we like!
