United States

‘Do Something Fun': 8-Year Old Pens Letter to President Barack Obama

Lily wrote to the president to let him know that the "country needs more spunk"

President Barack Obama found an unlikely pen pal in eight-year old Lily, who said she is the president's biggest fan.

Lily, whose father is in the Air Force, wrote to the president to let him know that the "country needs more spunk," suggesting he "do something fun" like wearing "a tie-dye shirt and shorts to something important."

"With all the attacks, the Zika virus, and the wars, this country is a very sad place," she wrote. "…Go on a water skiing trip in the Caribbean. Take your family to Disney World. Do something fun and outgoing. Also, please say something that will make everyone calm. You do know know how many politics worries I have (sic)."

Though her dream job is to be a cardiovascular surgeon, Lily said her father's military service has inspired her backup job to be president.

Obama responded to her letter, thanking her for the advice and writing, "I can tell you’ve got plenty of spunk to help keep our nation strong!"

"While I don’t know how the First Lady or my daughters would feel about me wearing a tie-dye shirt in public, I do know that one of my greatest responsibilities as President is ensuring your generation can thrive — and that includes making sure you can live in safety and reach for boundless opportunity," Obama wrote. "I know things happening around the world can sometimes be worrisome, but we can make real and lasting progress if young people like you focus on growing and learning and keep speaking out about important challenges our nation faces. As long as I serve in this office and beyond, I’ll continue fighting to ensure kids all across our country are limited by nothing but the scope of their imaginations and the size of their dreams."

Obama thanked Lily for the advice and told her to bear in mind the role she has in shaping the world. "I expect great things from you!" 

He also asked her to rely a message to her father: "Please tell your dad how grateful I am for his service."

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