Obama to return to grandmother's apartment for rest of day (Pics of Barack on wallk)

[DogPoundPup]

Source: Honolulu Advertiser

Obama spent nearly two hours visiting his ailing grandmother this morning then took a brief walk in his old Makiki neighborhood before returning to the apartment.

People stood in the lobby of the Punahou Circle Apartments hoping to see Obama while others hoped to give him flowers or lei,

The property manager promised to deliver them.

Obama's motorcade returned to the Hyatt Regency for lunch and Obama was scheduled to return to the two-bedroom, 10th floor apartment where he was raised for the rest of the day.

He is expected to board a 5 p.m. flight for Nevada.

Read more: http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20081024/NEWS05/810240360?GID=NRx38pHJLwJVHSQFjc7G9+biEFE8tzzGHL6d73zqiEc%3D

[BrklynLiberal]

1. He does look grim. I hope his Grandmother can last at least until after

the election...:(

[fourvahl]

2. Thanks for linking the pics

I do my best thinking sometimes visiting places I once hung out and reflect on my old views compared to my new ones. Change is all around us. Change is the one thing that is constant.

[HopeFor2006]

3. Great pictures

He looks so reflective.

[dudewheresmycountry]

4. we are all tied to our family

so just love em and bless them.

[PearliePoo2]

5. My heart aches for him...

When he leaves his Grandmother's apartment, and he turns to look at her one last time, he knows he is not likely to see her again.
How heavy his heart must be.
My heart is breaking for him.

[Twinguard]

6. I really feel for the guy.

I've been in the position that he is in today. It is incredibly tough. He looks like he needs the walk to clear his head. I am trying to direct all of the good karma I have saved up towards Barack and the rest of the Obama and Dunham families. Hopefully grandma can live long enough to see her grandson elected to the highest office in the country. If, however, she is unable to live to see that day, I know her spirit will be strong inside of Barack, and I know that he will focus his energy into being the kind of leader that would have made his grandmother proud.

I feel honored to cast my vote for Barack Obama, and may he and his family be well.

[PearliePoo2]

7. I have been in this position also......as you have

I think that "Toot" KNOWS that her Grandson is going to be the next President of the United States.
She gave up a new car..she gave up a new dress...she gave her all for him all of her life.
I am honored to cast my vote for Barack Obama and for "Toot" too.
I want a miracle...I want Toot to live and see her Grandson sworn in as President.

[DogPoundPup]

8. I like that...it's such a simple statement...I want a miracle too!

[Triana]

9. He looks very tight-lipped - on the verge of tears or...

...perturbed that he's being photographed at such a personal time. If he wanted to shed a tear, it would almost have to be in front of cameras.

I love seeing his photos and have been thinking of him and Toot and the Obamas and Dunhams but I wonder if he wishes they'd leave him alone right now.

Wishing them all strength - and that Grandma lasts just a little while longer and that her eyesight holds out long enough to see their Barry win and maybe even sworn in.

[jaysunb]

10. I loved the fact that there didn't seem to be

any SS folks hovering around, although I'm sure they weren't far away.

[iamjoy]

11. Most Americans Wouldn't Blame Him For Crying

and anyone trying to cast him as weak for crying over what is probably the impending death of a close family member would get excoriated for being so insensitive.

Or maybe I'm wrong.

[The Sushi Bandit]

12. Obama has few more hours with grandmother before leaving Hawaii (with Photos)

Source: Honolulu Advertiser

Obama spent nearly two hours visiting his ailing grandmother this morning then took a brief walk in his old Makiki neighborhood before returning to the apartment.

People stood in the lobby of the Punahou Circle Apartments hoping to see Obama while others hoped to give him flowers or lei.

The property manager promised to deliver them.

Obama's motorcade returned to the Hyatt Regency for lunch and Obama was scheduled to return to the two-bedroom, 10th-floor apartment where he was raised for the rest of the day.

He is expected to board a 5 p.m. flight for Nevada.


Read more: http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20081024/NEWS05/810240360

---

go to link with photos....

I'm about 5 miles from him right now!

[tpsbmam]

13. Those photos break my heart. The whole thing breaks my heart. My thoughts

are so with this great man and his wonderful family.

[jennied]

14. I have to say this...

It's sad about his grandmother. My heart totally breaks, I know how it feels to lose someone. Or know that you're gonna lose someone. My father died last year, and my heart still hurts.

This is not a time for people to take pictures of him. Nor do I think Obama should be casually walking around.

It's not a show.

There's a certain insincerity to it all, and it totally turns me off.

[MadMaddie]

15. Many times people walk to release stress

what is he supposed to do? He is loosing his link to his mother.

It doesn't look like he is out for a photo op....

He is in jeans....

He is mourning, the way he knows how to mourn.....

[eowyn_of_rohan]

16. Yes. He is clearly in pain, trying to keep from letting it show...

I keep thinking of how Barak wasn't able to see his mother before she dies....now he is going to lose his grandmother -his mother's mom. Times like this bring pain over other losses and regrets to the surface. He should be left alone at this time.

[Beregond2]

17. I hear what you're saying,

but people are going to take pictures of famous people, regardless of the circumstances. And I'm sure the Secret Service was with Obama on his walk.

[KamaAina]

18. I doubt that he's "casually walking around"

I imagine that entire block was crawling with Secret Service.

[silverojo]

21. As someone who recently lost a very dear relative

Walking around was one of the few things that kept me sane. When you have all that grief and stress building up, you have to release it somehow. Walking is a way to do it, which also gives you time alone with your thoughts.

[MgtPA]

22. He'll never see her again, and he knows it. It's the death walk that goes with...

...the vigil. I've done it myself, nothing casual about it.

[Judi Lynn]

23. Where would you have gotten the idea the man is "casually walking around?"

Why come here to tell people you perceive their Presidential candidate is insincere?

As your exalted, accomplished pResident _{George W. Bush} has presidentially remarked, "Who cares what you think!"

[Tumbulu]

24. Do you think he has control of who takes pictures of him?

He is sad, I walk around when I am sad. it is the most helpful thing I can think of.

I don't understand your reaction.

[ksimons]

25. I have to say this then...

"Nor do I think Obama should be casually walking around."

Yes, you are right. He should, in fact, be FORMALLY walking around, not casually walking around.

Ridiculous comment deserves a ridiculous response. No offense intended of course. You felt the need to say something. I felt the need to say something.

[Catch22Dem]

27. If that turns you off, you're a fraud (n/t)

[DrZeeLit]

28. Huh? Insincerity? Who the heck are you?

Do you really think he went to see his grandmother for a photo op?
Do you think he asked the paparazzi in for a few shots?
Did you check out the neighborhood? How would you like to stay cooped up in a sad, tiny place of impending death for 36 hours? Stepping out for a breather and a walk around the old neighborhood seems plausible.

Maybe you should rethink that comment. Your words, using your own grief as a measure of what another person should or should not do or feel, present an unflattering picture of you.

[jennied]

41. I think that the photos themselves are insincere, not Obama.

[sandnsea]

31. Good-bye to all of that

He's saying good-bye to a lot more than his grandmother right now. Reflecting on the old neighborhood, his life, it's a natural thing to do. That you don't get the deep sincerity of it says everything about you and absolutely nothing about him.

[depakid]

49. People who haven't been through it can't understand

and we really can't expect them to, because it's a very personal thing. Other posters above get it, and my guess is that it must suck to not be able to walk about, away from the spotlight, alone only with your feelings and thoughts.

[illuminaughty]

53. That's how I see it.

I can imagine wanting to take a stroll in my old neigborhood while realizing it will be the last time you do so while your loved one is still on this earth.

[Triana]

33. It does bother me that they are taking pictures...

..and he looked perturbed by it in some photos - that, or choked up because of the situation.

Either way, it's troubling to me. Not because it's put out as a "show" but because this is such a difficult time and their privacy ought to be more respected than that.

I'm so sorry for Barack and his family - and that they have to deal with media on top of it.

[jennied]

42. Yes, I agree. Their privacy should be respected.

[Tarheel_Dem]

37. Uggghhh! Hey, why is your profile hidden? (nt)

[jennied]

43. Are you talking to me? I didn't know that it was hidden.

[Tarheel_Dem]

47. Well now that you know, you'll probably activate it and lie. I find your

comments utterly despicable, and ill-timed.

[jennied]

50. Whatever. Contact an admin, I'm sure they can view my posts and see if I'm trollish or not

And no, I will not activate it for you.

[alfredo]

38. When I was with my dying mother, I had to get out of the house,

walk it off.

I could see it in his face, the sadness and exhaustion. It is probably tearing him apart.

[merci_me]

39. Walking through your past is what you do

Its a way to be in touch with the memories. You can recall forgotten conversations, the looks, the smells, little things you forgot, that can bring you some peace now.

Like Barack, I didn't get home until after my mother died, but as we prepared for her burial I did a lot of visiting places from days past. Several years later, while I was with my father during his last week, most of my time away from the hospital was walking. I drove to our old house and parked and walked to where my old elementary school and remember walking it so many times with my dad. I stopped at the ice cream store and bought cones for a couple of kids. Fortunately, people left me alone, with my grief and memories.

[jennied]

40. First...

I have contributed to Obama's campaign as much as the next person. I have helped register people to vote. I have helped as much as I possibly can. So you can call me a fraud or whatever, but I still support Obama completely. LOL, and shame on me for even saying this. I don't have to prove anything to nobody. It's disgusting though that a person can't have a controversial opinion without being called names and such. Aren't we liberal here?

Second. After giving it some thought I realized that celebrity/political life is different from regular life. I'm sure that Obama is used to the fact now that where ever he goes that the Secret Service is going to be there, and that their will be people gawking at him. And because of that, that shouldn't stop him from needing to walk around casually. And yes, casually. As you guys said, he is in flip flops and jeans. Casually.

Third. Even though Obama is used to the fact, I'm not, which is why I said what I said. I put myself in Obama's shoes. If I were going to see my dying Grandmother, and only had a few hours to be with her, I wouldn't go outside where people are going to be staring at me and taking photos. But that's just my opinion.

I don't deny that Obama is in pain. I don't deny that he had to walk it off a bit. I don't deny that Hawaii brings back a thousand memories for him and he's walking around the neighborhood a bit and pondering things. It's just something that I couldn't see myself doing.

I think I would be in so much pain that I couldn't handle anyone potentially taking photos of my pain. I couldn't handle people analyzing my pain. Analyzing what I'm wearing. It's beyond sickening.

But that's just me. So that's how I viewed it. And I never ever ever meant anything against Obama. It just royally pisses me off that he can't get any privacy, so thus, him walking around does make this indirectly a sick show.

[Tarheel_Dem]

48. How presumptuous. First of all, you can't ascribe your reaction to tragedy

to everyone else. We all grieve in our own way. Yes, this is a liberal board, and as you can tell, your initial comment rubbed quite a few of us the wrong way. I'll take your word that you weren't being snide. Have a nice day.

[jennied]

51. Mmm, well have a nice day too.

[ann_american2004]

44. When my mom was close to dying

I found myself walking aimlessly through the mall one day. I wasnt shopping or even looking at the clothes. I dont even know why I drove there. It was very hard. And she had been sick for many years.

I dont think many people understand how grief is unless they have been thorough it a couple of times. Each time is different and difficult uniquely. Some people have been criticizing Obama for waiting 4 days and implying "well if she were THAT ill", as if they know what is the proper etiquette for the aggrieved.

Everyone reacts differently. I worked the day my mother died. I had been visiting her on rotation with my sister up until mom's death. We flew out on different extended weekends to help our father out. For many weeks my mom slept most of the time. It was a gift to have her open her eyes and, seeing me, to smile faintly. I loved those moments. Mom passed away just before my sister's weekend. I cried all morning when I got the news. I went to work to set up everything so someone would have a chance to finish the project on time after I left. I knew that every part of my mom, even the last faint smiles of love were gone. I went back home the next day for my family. But my mom was gone. And I miss now my mom when she was well and giving me advice and laughing with me and walking with me. That part of my mom was gone.

When someone is very ill, often they are no longer even there most of the time. We can hold their hand as they go and tell them that it is okay. That if they see Jesus, it is okay. If they see Grandma and Grandpa it is okay to go. I got to tell my mom that I loved her and that she was the best mom in the whole world and I was lucky to have her. She heard that, she smiled. That was good.

If Obama is taking a walk, let him. For God sake let him without censure. My best friend told me this- and it was the kindest thing anyone said when I was so unsure about what to do and how I was feeling--she looked me straight in the eyes and said, "Your mother is dying. You have the right to do what you do at this moment. Nothing is wrong in you. You are grieving. The world cannot judge."

[jennied]

46. True, there is no right way to react. Whatever you do is the right thing to do...

[FredStembottom]

58. Long, long aimless walks were my main medicine........

....during the last days of both of my parents.

People used to die so much faster than they do now! Seriously. Infection used to carry away old folks in a matter of days or hours - now the process goes on for weeks and months.

We are only a couple generations into having to invent coping mechanisms that were never needed before in all of history.

Long walks in old neighborhoods - maybe even days and days of them - are just the thing. As well as a hundred other coping ideas that must be concocted to deal with an entirely new situation within the human condition.

[the808]

54. Don't think it was a causal walk...

I was in the same area he was about a 1/2 hour later. I had no clue he was walking around but what I did notice was HPD presence. If they were everywhere, I'm sure secret service agents were in every nook and cranny.

[Haole Girl]

56. Jeez. Haven't you ever taken a walk to try to clear your mind?

:eyes:

[KamaAina]

19. Pfffft! I'm about three miles from there!

although by now (4:07 HST), I assume he's at the airport. And by nightfall, I'll be home, about five blocks from there!

What brings you to town, anyway? :hi:

[elleng]

20. Thanks, Sushi.

She sounds like quite a person; should provide fodder for a book or two.

How's the weather???

[JimboBillyBubbaBob]

26. Obama's grief

I lost a child this past January, she was 18. I still walk around when it starts to close in on me. I can surely dig where he's at. I wish him the best. The man is noble, he's real.

[canichelouis]

30. Sorry for your loss

[sandnsea]

32. Deepest sympathy

I can't even imagine. :hug:

[a la izquierda]

29. This is the email I just send. Who knows if he'll get it.

Dear Senator Obama:
I am so glad you got to spend time with your beloved grandmother. I wish I had the same opportunity.
I am a 31 year old supporter, a PhD student at the University of Oklahoma. Right now, I am doing research in Guadalajara, Mexico and I am thrilled to say I cast my vote for you by absentee ballot several weeks ago. My husband will cast his vote in a few short days.

In April of 2003, I received a terrible phone call. My grandmother was dying. I was only 25 and I was still shell-shocked from 9/11, as I grew up in New Jersey. I was afraid to fly across country to visit her for Christmas and could not bear the thought of flying home to see her on her deathbed. I never got to say goodbye. I am so very glad for you that you were able to do so, and no matter what anyone may say, I commend your taking time off to see your grandma in her time of illness.
I wish you well in the next few days and godspeed over the next four years. I look forward to returning to a much improved United States of America. God knows we need someone to United US, and I know you can do it.
Thank you for all that you do for our country.
Best wishes,
Michele Stephens
Norman, Oklahoma and Guadalajara, Mexico

[a la izquierda]

45. Ooh, I hate spelling errors.

This is what happens when you down a bottle of wine while making dessert, and then try and type a heartfelt post.

[IndianaGreen]

34. K&R

My thoughts and prayers are with the Obama family.

[Phred42]

35. Leave him alone for Christ sake!

His grandmother id dieing and he can't be there when she goes because of the election

The the guy alone

[Athletic Grrl]

36. We'll bring this home for Toot!

:hug: for the Obama family.

[AmericanUnity]

52. I lost my mother and sister this year. Walking the old neighborhood was cathartic.

When my sister passed the end of April everything from the life I knew growing up was gone.

Those pics were sad. I know just where he was emotionally. Walking down memory lane.

God's speed, Barack. We're with you

[saigon68]

55. K & R

[Haole Girl]

57. I do want to say...

there is never a good time to lose someone close to you. Still, it breaks my heart that Sen. Obama has to endure this at what must already be the most stressful time in his life.

:hug: :grouphug: :hug: