I watched President Obama’s farewell address in my hotel room in Illinois the other night. Like many, I have been a longtime Obama supporter and have followed his presidency closely over the past eight years. I can say unequivocally that he is one of the few living people I consider a hero.

Our current President is a beautiful example of what a leader should be and there is no doubt in my mind that he will be the greatest President of my lifetime.  As we say farewell to the Obamas and move into a new era of fear and uncertainty, we say goodbye to everything that the past eight years stood for.

Goodbye compassion and eloquence. Farewell dignity and humility. Love of family and country must take a backseat now to greed and narcissism - but only at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. It’s up to us to hold our heads high and not let go of the virtues that Obama clung to. It's up to us to carry his torch and move forward with purpose. We can't leave the responsibility of patriotism to anyone else any longer - it's up to us, and us alone.

That’s what I learned from Obama - one of many things we have to be thankful for. Just to name a few…
 
Thanks, Obama - for helping my wife and me afford health insurance as self-employed artists.

Thanks, Obama - for pushing for equality for all people. I’ll never forget when all people were given the freedom to marry the person they love. Days later, the Chicago Pride Parade was more joyous and hopeful than anything I’d ever been a part of.

Thanks, Obama - for caring about our planet and trying to fight climate change amidst a wave of people who are unwilling to accept scientific facts.

Thanks, Obama - for embracing change, progress, new technology, and innovation. Thanks for never being afraid of the future and always looking ahead with optimism and confidence.

Thanks, Obama - for your poise and grace. Thank you for being a kind, hard working family man that never wavered in his commitment to being a leader for all Americans. I’m sorry you were met with such hatred and resistance but thank you for standing tall in the face of unbelievable cruelty. 

Thank you, Mr. President, for your compassionate and dignified leadership over the past eight years. I have a feeling we won’t be fully aware of your incredible impact for generations to come.