Presidential Progeny

Thinking, just thinking, don't ask me how I came about asking myself that bemused question. Right, I was thinking about how wonderfully refreshing it is to view the obvious love America's new president has for his family. His bright, intelligent and accomplished wife whom he regards as his adviser, his closest friend, his beloved. And his bright, intelligent and promising children. Two little girls.

Ottawans had occasion just recently to see the devoted father eschewing protocol to launch himself into the Byward Market close to the Parliament Buildings, to prowl about the shops. His purpose? To find a few little trinkets and edibles for his daughters; key chains, cookies. He chose shortbread cookies baked in a little shop, in the shape of Maple Leaves, Canada's emblematic icon, and iced in red and white, like our flag. The shop owner declined payment.

He's since had ample payment; orders are coming in fast and furious even from international sites, with people wanting to personally share the delectables that President Obama brought home on Air Force One for his daughters. Viewing his presence in the capital city on television one couldn't help but be impressed by the man's naturally delightful presence, his comfortable air, his huge likeability quotient.

And I thought, how lovely, how quaint, how wonderful. Here is the most powerful, important, sought-after presence on this globe, displaying with perfect equanimity his universal appeal. That of a 'natural' man, an evanescent presence, who, despite his elevation to the highest executive station of his country - and by extension that of the world in a very real, political sense - his thoughts are always with his family, the well-being of his children.

And isn't that peculiar? Here is this high-powered, albeit quietly self-confident man, and his progeny? Girls. Daughters. Two young females. And his predecessor? George W. Bush? Why, two girls. And his predecessor, William Clinton? A girl, a female, a daughter. And then too, there was Richard M. Nixon, with two daughters. Lyndon B. Johnson, also two girls. And President Harry Truman, one daughter.

Ain't that something?

What, exactly, might this signify? What inexactly does it bring to mind? Powerful men produce female progeny? And then?

Or is it more likely the presence behind the throne; women wedded to men who owe much of what they achieve to the women supporting, prodding and enabling them? It's the powerful strength of these women's genes producing females, to the great and abiding satisfaction and happiness of their mates.