Barack Obama revealed how he’s celebrating his 61st birthday with a candy tribute to his late mom, Ann Dunham.
On Twitter on Thursday, the previous US President revealed that the Obama Presidential Center’s water backyard, based mostly in Chicago, Illinois, can be devoted to and named after Dunham.
In the put up, Obama shared how his mom influenced him and mentioned that the backyard can be a spot for guests to “reflect”.
“My mother, Ann Dunham, was the biggest influence on my life, and helped shape me into the person I am today,” he wrote. “I’m proud to share that the Water Garden at the Obama Presidential Center will be named in her honour.”
“The Ann Dunham Water Garden will be a special place for visitors and members of the community to reflect,” he continued. “It will also feature an incredible new sculpture by Maya Lin, whose work I’ve long admired.”
According to a weblog put up written by the Chief Executive Officer of the Obama Foundation Valerie Jarrett, the corporate can be launching “the Obama alumni campaign to fund the Water Garden”.
Jarrett additionally praised Dunham’s beliefs in “the power of human connection and the inherent dignity in all of us,” which have been “instilled in her children,” earlier than noting how the backyard can be a “special place”.
“The Water Garden will honour Ann Dunham’s life and legacy, making her name forever a part of the Obama Presidential Center experience,” she wrote. “The Ann Dunham Water Garden will be a special place–where families can enjoy a quiet moment of reflection, children can go for a splash through the water fountain, and the community can come together for intimate performances.”
In a press launch, Obama shared how this backyard is the “most fitting way” to commemorate his mom.
“I could picture her sitting on one of the benches on a nice summer afternoon, smiling and watching a bunch of kids running through the fountain, and I thought that would capture who she was as well as just about anything else,” he mentioned.
Dunham, who was born Stanley Ann Dunham, died of ovarian most cancers in 1995.
The Ann Dunham Water Garden is barely one of many many areas that can be part of the Obama Presidential Center, which started development in September 2021.
Some areas being developed embrace the “Opening the White House” exhibit, named in honour of Michelle Obama’s mom, Marian Robinson, and “The Eleanor Roosevelt Fruit & Vegetable Garden”.
Aside from celebrating his mom, Obama was additionally honoured by his family members on Thursday. On social media, the previous First Lady posted a throwback image of her husband and wrote: “Happy birthday to my honey! Life with you just keeps getting better every year. You always make me proud. I love you.”