Eight years ago America was a very different country. Our economy was at a low. Healthcare was not made for everyone. Troops were at war. Topping off everything there weren’t enough jobs to go around for all of America. The country was pretty dim. But we found our light in hope through a change we could believe in brought on by an African American guy from Chicago, IL, who would later become the 44th President of the United States.

In his first official capacity as President during his inaugural address, he knew what his winning of the election meant. It was far bigger that America had progressed enough to do what some thought was unthinkable by electing an African American to hold the highest office in the nation. Larger than the fact that little black boys and girls truly knew there was no ceiling limiting them to what they could do. Obama’s victory meant Americans were tired of suffering, tired of having things done the same way. They wanted, they needed Obama to restore hope and to restore America.

President Obama heard them, heard us. Unlike previous presidents, he tried hard in many ways to answer America’s longing for change. He was smart to know that this resolution was not going to happen quickly nor was it going to occur by himself and with government officials but it was going to happen with the help Americans. The blueprint for this plan was presented in his inaugural address in 2009 where he wanted America to hold elected officials accountability for the task they had at hand and for Americans to stand up and take responsibility for the job they had to do.

“For as much as government can do, and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies,” said President Obama. He further added, “What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility -- a recognition on the part of every American that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world; duties that we do not grudgingly accept, but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character than giving our all to a difficult task.”

It was an agenda that seemed too much too handle. One that had some many issues that it was difficult to determine which to tackle first. Having so many complexities that it would make the average person feel overwhelmed. However, we didn’t have that kind of president. Our President, my president, was one who didn’t look at the size of problems but attempted to break them down for a more comprehensive understanding to come to a more conclusive decision leading to some monumental fetes that past successors hadn’t managed to achieve. One of those being healthcare reform.

Undoubtedly, one of his greatest accomplishments of his presidency was healthcare reform. Many former presidents had tried in various ways to revamp the system that worked for a few and failed many. Health insurance just wasn’t in the grasp for those it was made for…the sick. Those with preexisting were dropped from plans or denied altogether. Insurance companies denied necessary treatments or tests for their own benefit. Premiums were through the roof. Americans had no control over their own care. But then came the change that folks could believe in with the passage of the Affordable Health Care. Universal healthcare gave many, who far so long didn’t have insurance, insurance for the first time in years. It moved to give quality care to more Americans that were lost in the system. Of course, it was not without controversy, as the plan was not perfect but it was better because it took away some barriers to gaining insurance. It made sure affordable thereby creating a healthier America. Even with its good points and flaws, one had to admit it was a lot better than what we had and no one had success reforming it until a president named Barack Obama stepped in.

With healthcare made better, President Obama looked to our failing economy and growing debt. Overall Americans were hurting all over by the lack of economic growth. More people were without jobs losing their homes and businesses. Families went from having one generation in a home to multiple just to survive paycheck-to-paycheck. Some were in so much despair and not knowing the answer as to what to do they took their own life s as a way to deal. Help arrived with a president named Barack Obama with the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that stimulated the economy and the creation of jobs. In the first twenty-three months of the plan more that three million new private sector jobs were created according to the Washington Monthly.

Another check mark for President Obama came when the troops could finally come home. The war in Iraq was over and by order of the president all troops left in 2011. Military families could begin to untie those many yellow ribbons from around the old oak tree because their men and women were home, a little battered and worn but not discouraged or without hope and pride for their country. America embraced troops by appreciating them with an increase in needed support for physical and mental health programs, tuition assistance tax credits, jobs and housing all because of president named Barack Obama.

Still at the top of President Obama’s to-do list was America’s number one enemy Osama bin Laden. Just slipping out the grasp of America’s hands for years, President Obama and America were now more determined than ever to get their man. Planning, tracking, and tactics were used until a trap was set. Then a president named Barack Obama gave the final command for action. In the dead of night, America’s best, special forces called Navy Seals, stormed a secret compound in Pakistan and eliminated Osama bin Laden and others. Victory was America’s.

A long list of victories came for all Americans with a president named Barack Obama. Big businesses were rescued with federal money. The auto industry was turned around with a billion in federal money that allowed the creation of hundreds of jobs. Banks were taken from under water. Higher education no longer was a dream that students thought they could not obtain with the expansion of Pell Grants and removing banks from the federal student loan program. The LGBT community got rights and “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was ended.

A president named Barack Obama with the power of the people remade America and rebranded our image abroad changing the way others thought of America. Ushering in new relations with countries like Cuba. After a 54 year stint of hostile relations, the U.S. and Cuba had come to peace lifting travel restrictions, reopening the U.S. embassy in Havana and the Cuban embassy in Washington among other agreement conditions.

Change was sweeping America and the world. President Obama checked and checked his list off one-by-one knowing with every check he made there was still a lot more work to be done. But not without opposition and numerous challenges. From the legitimacy of his birth certificate to the out right disrespect treatment of him as a man and leader with the authority given him for the position he holds for the highest office in the land because of the color of the skin. President Obama took a beaten in Washington but appeared to always keep his cool and calm. Time-to-time we did see nostrils flare, hear an elevation in his voice, see the stern look in his eyes but he did it while still keeping his composure and press on to keep America moving. He kept it presidential.

He had many cheering for his success and even more rooting for his failure. Personally, as an American he made me feel safe and hopeful and as an African American he made me proud. Mr. President, you did an amazing, superior job of remaking America into a better union.

Thank you is also extended to you and your family for changing the mirror image of Black America. Besides giving young black girls and boys hope to achieve the impossible, the Obamas changed the way America looks at African American people. The Obamas were not what America statically thought of African Americans. Both parents are highly educated, happily in love with children who have the same parents. His record was not one found in jail but one found on Capital Hill. His first lady was not the angry black woman but is the woman who wanted children to eat healthy and get moving and support military families. Their girls were not ones looking for trouble but are ones seeking new opportunities to garner success. Together they are an uncontrollable power that can’t be stopped and apart they are a force to be reckoned with. The Obamas are just that bad.

Now with a head that is far grayer than when he first took office, his swagger still in effect, his smile still genuine and his heart still hopeful we prepare to say farewell to a President Barack Obama. We, again, say thank you Mr. President and First Family for your love of America and each other, for your time in service and in sacrifice, and for your legacy to put America first by righting the wrongs and tweaking the rights for the change that we believed in and the hope that can hold onto.

Farewell President Barack Hussein Obama, Michelle Robinson Obama, Natasha “Sasha” Obama, Malia Ann Obama, Marian Robinson and even you too, Bo. May the hand of God be forever on you and those you love.