奥巴马给女儿的一封信,励志教育

为你，及全体美国儿童之所望

总统当选人奥巴马 (始登于 Parade 杂志)

亲爱的马莉娅、萨莎：

我知道，这两年来，在这条竞选道路上，你们享受了不少快乐时光。你们参加了野餐，列队游行和各州的集会，还吃了不少我和你们的妈妈原来不允许你们吃的垃圾食品，所有这一切，我都非常清楚。同时我深切地体会到，对你们和你们的妈妈而言，这两年是多么的辛苦。不过，在这个过程中，也有令人兴奋的时候，就和我们家买小狗时，你们兴高采烈的心情是一样的，我知道，在过去的两年里我错过了许多，但今天我想对你们说，为什么我决定带领全家踏上这条征程。

爸爸年轻的时候，曾认为生活的全部内容只有我自己，以为生活的全部意义就是怎样才能在世界的瞩目下闯荡出一条属于自己的路，一条成功的路，一条能够得到我想要的一切的路。但是到了后来，你们两个先后来到我的世界，你们对一切充满好奇的眼神，你们淘气的样子，还有你们的微笑，填满了我整颗心，也照亮了我的人生。我突然意识到，我以前为自己制定的宏伟蓝图，似乎变得不再重要了。我发现你们的快乐，才是我一生中最大的快乐。我觉得，如果我不能给你们带来快乐和幸福，那么我的生命就没有任何价值而言。孩子们，这就是爸爸为何会竞选总统的原因：为了你们，为了全美国的每个孩子。

我希望，每个孩子都能够上学，去那些能够充分发掘潜力激发创造力和想象力，教会用质疑和好奇的眼睛观看世界的学校。我希望，每个孩子都有机会接受大学教育，即使有些孩子能够找到工作，能拿到满意的报酬，能享受各项福利，能在工作之余有时间陪自己的子女，能在退休后仍能享有做人的尊严。

我希望，大家勇于探索，攀登科学的高峰，在有生之年能亲眼见证高新科技发明创造给世界带来的变化，切身体会我们的星球在科学的带动下，变得更加清洁，更加安全。我希望，在大家的共同努力下，人类不再有种族之分，地域之分，性别之分和信仰之分。因为只要这些认为的界限依然存在，我们就看不到彼此最美好的闪光点。

有时候我们不得不让青年去参加战争，参与处理其他危险的局面，以保卫我们的国家，然而，一旦我们这样做了，就一定要确保有足够充分的理由说服我们非如此就解决不了问题。确信我们已经竭尽所能希望用和平的方式解决争端。确保我们已经尽一切的可能保障战士的安全。我希望每个孩子都明白，这些勇敢的美国人为之奋斗的幸福不是解放自我，而是一种光荣一种作为国家公民身上所被赋予的神圣使命。这些都是你们的祖母交给我们的。那时的我和你们差不多大，当他指着独立宣言一字一句读给我听时，他告诉我，我们的战士之所以勇敢地踏上追求平等的征程，正是因为他们相信，我们的祖先在200年前写在纸上的这些文字，一定有着深刻的内涵。

你们的祖母让我明白，美国之所以伟大，并不是因为这个国家已经完美无缺，而是因为这片土地上的人么总能不断地让国家变得日益完美。现在，这个使命落在了我们的肩上。

我希望你们俩能担负起这份责任，要学会不断纠正自己的错误，学会付出自己的努力，让别人也能够得到和自己同样的发展机会，这不仅是因为你们必须对自己负责任。道理很简单，只有当你们胸怀大志，并努力去实现它时，你们才能发现自己的潜力所在。

这就是我对你们的希望，在你们自由成长的世界里，你们的梦想不受任何约束，也没有你们不能做得到的事情，我希望等你们长大以后，能富有同情心和责任感，为建设一个更加美好的世界而不懈努力。我希望每个孩子都能够拥有和你们同样的机会，同样的梦想和同样茁壮成长的经历。这就是我带领全家踏上这条伟大征程的原因。

爸爸为你们两个感到骄傲。你们可知道我又多么爱你们。就在我们准备一起入住白宫，开启生活新篇章的时候，你们表现出了应有的耐心恬静优雅和幽默。在这里，我要对你们说一声谢谢。

爱你们的爸爸

奥巴马给女儿的一封信[英文版]

What I Want Fo-r You- a-n-d Every Child in America

by President-Elect Barack Obama (Published in Parade Magazine)

Dear Malia a-n-d Sasha,

I know that youve both had a lot of fun these last two years on the campaign trail, going to picnics a-n-d parades a-n-d state fairs, eating all so-rts of junk food your mother a-n-d I probably shouldnt have let you have. But I also know that it hasnt always been easy fo-r you a-n-d Mom, a-n-d that as excited as you both are about that new puppy, it doesnt make up fo-r all the time weve been apart. I know how much Ive missed these past two years, a-n-d today I want to tell you a little mo-re about why I decided to take our family on this journey.

When I was a young man, I thought life was all about meabout how Id make my way in the wo-rld, become successful, a-n-d get the things I want. But then the two of you came into my wo-rld with all your curiosity a-n-d mischief a-n-d those smiles that never fail to fill my heart a-n-d light up my day. a-n-d suddenly, all my big plans fo-r myself didnt seem so impo-rtant anymo-re. I soon found that the greatest joy in my life was the joy I saw in yours. a-n-d I realized that my own life wouldnt count fo-r much unless I was able to ensure that you had every oppo-rtunity fo-r happiness a-n-d fulfillment in yours. In the end, girls, thats why I ran fo-r President: because of what I want fo-r you a-n-d fo-r every child in this nation.

I want all our children to go to schools wo-rthy of their potentialschools that challenge them, inspire them, a-n-d instill in them a sense of wonder about the wo-rld around them. I want them to have the chance to go to collegeeven if their parents arent rich. a-n-d I want them to get good jobs: jobs that pay well a-n-d give them benefits like health care, jobs that let them spend time with their own kids a-n-d retire with dignity.

I want us to push the boundaries of discovery so that youll live to see new technologies a-n-d inventions that improve our lives a-n-d make our planet cleaner a-n-d safer. a-n-d I want us to push our own human boundaries to reach beyond the divides of race a-n-d region, gender a-n-d religion that keep us from seeing the best in each other.

Sometimes we have to send our young men a-n-d women into war a-n-d other dangerous situations to protect our countrybut when we do, I want to make sure that it is only fo-r a very good reason, that we try our best to settle our differences with others peacefully, a-n-d that we do everything possible to keep our servicemen a-n-d women safe. a-n-d I want every child to understa-n-d that the blessings these brave Americans fight fo-r are not freethat with the great privilege of being a citizen of this nation comes great responsibility.

That was the lesson your gra-n-dmother tried to teach me when I was your age, reading me the opening lines of the Declaration of Independence a-n-d telling me about the men a-n-d women who marched fo-r equality because they believed those wo-rds put to paper two centuries ago should mean something.She helped me understa-n-d that America is great not because it is perfect but because it can always be made bettera-n-d that the unfinished wo-rk of perfecting our union falls to each of us. Its a charge we pass on to our children, coming closer with each new generation to what we know America should be.

I hope both of you will take up that wo-rk, righting the wrongs that you see a-n-d wo-rking to give others the chances youve had. Not just because you have an obligation to give something back to this country that has given our family so muchalthough you do have that obligation. But because you have an obligation to yourself. Because it is only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you will realize your true potential.

These are the things I want fo-r youto grow up in a wo-rld with no limits on your dreams a-n-d no achievements beyond your reach, a-n-d to grow into compassionate, committed women who will help build that wo-rld. a-n-d I want every child to have the same chances to learn a-n-d dream a-n-d grow a-n-d thrive that you girls have. Thats why Ive taken our family on this great adventure.

I am so proud of both of you. I love you mo-re than you can ever know. a-n-d I am grateful every day fo-r your patience, poise, grace, a-n-d humo-r as we prepare to start our new life together in the White House.

Love, Dad