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This column reflects the opinion of the writer. Learn about the differences between a news story and an opinion column.

Applaud Michelle Obama

I was so surprised by Mary Heinen’s letter on June 22 that I looked up the article she referred to about Michelle Obama’s graduation speech. The line attributed to Michelle that “you should live for yourself and not anyone else” does indeed sound un-Christian. Michelle goes on to say that she and her brother, after growing up in a struggling working-class family, chased lucrative careers in law and finance but neither felt especially fulfilled. She said life is defined by more than a paycheck and urged graduates to focus on what they have rather than what they lack. Being thankful for what we have sounds very Christian to me.

The causes she promotes also sound very Christian. In the early months as first lady, she visited homeless shelters and soup kitchens. After a year as first lady, she undertook her first lead role in an administrationwide initiative. Her goal was to make progress in reversing the 21st-century trend of childhood obesity. She has named the movement “Let’s Move.”

Supporting military families, fair pay for working women and encouraging national service are all important issues to her. I applaud her choices.

Karen Gertson

Spokane Valley

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