How Internet found its Santa this Christmas: Barack Obama
He smiled, laughed, talked and hugged and it was suddenly not that bad to remain confined to a hospital
No one wants to be in a hospital in the festive season.
The pain of seeing a dear one suffering, lying on a hospital bed, far from the warmth of the season outside, is no less either.
So, when former US President Barack Obama paid a surprise visit to the Children’s National Hospital, Washington, donning a Santa hat and carrying a huge bag full of gifts, it was natural that the hospital would burst into cheers of “We miss you”.
But it was quite surprising that the video, shared on social media, would melt all our hearts, and for once, we would again start believing in the story of Father Christmas, bringing gifts for nice kids on the eve of Christmas.
“I was saying in there but I want to repeat to everybody: at a time that is obviously tough for folks, and as the dad of two girls, I can only imagine — when my girls get a cold, I’m messed up. In that situation, to have nurses and staff and doctors and people who are caring for them and looking after them and listening to them and just there for them and holding their hand, What a great reminder of what the holiday spirit is supposed to be about. That’s the most important thing there is.”
Obama walked into the hospital, smiled at everyone he met in the hall, laughed, talked and hugged and it was suddenly not that bad to remain confined to a hospital. The children shrieked in joy, parents burst into tears, and Obama said, "This happens when you meet Santa," handing out gifts like Legos and Barbie Princesses to each of the children admitted to the hospital.
Yesterday, Santa Obama stopped by @ChildrensHealth to spread a little Christmas cheer and remind us what the holiday season is all about—giving back to the communities that we call home: pic.twitter.com/ATC2ksdNOO
— The Obama Foundation (@ObamaFoundation) December 20, 2018
Thank you @BarackObama for making our patients’ day so much brighter. Your surprise warmed our hallways and put smiles on everyone’s faces! Our patients loved your company…and your gifts! https://t.co/bswxSrA4sQ ❤️ #HolidaysAtChildrens #ObamaAndKids pic.twitter.com/qii53UbSRS
— Children's National ???? (@childrenshealth) December 19, 2018
Incidentally, a lot of controversies have been woven around Christmas in the last few years — during the campaigning of the Presidential election in 2016, and after Donald Trump became President. Trump claimed to have brought back the ‘lost glory’ of Christmas, as according to him, in an effort to be politically correct, Americans had actually stopped greeting each other with ‘Merry Christmas’, as the wish contains a religious flavour. America under Obama’s presidency had switched to ‘happy holidays’ instead, Trump claimed.
It was not true as Obama himself had wished people ‘Merry Christmas’ in his speeches.
Well, it’s not even what you greet, but what you feel that matters and the former President, in his heartwarming message of how a festival means giving back to the community, caring and sharing, proved that he is the Santa the US needs.
Obama has always been good with kids, and it’s not the first time that he melted our hearts with his utter ease around children.
We found five photos to make your Christmas better.
1. Halloween, 2015
2. Christmas, 2014
3. Kennigston Palace, 2016
4. White House, 2009
5. United States, 2016
Well, Barack Obama is indeed the Santa the US deserves.
Can he drop by India, please?