Last Minute Gifts

Not for me, but for POTUS! Mr. Obama had already delayed his Christmas vacation by a few days in order to stick around while Congress was in session. But by Wednesday, Congress had passed most of the key legislation POTUS was hoping for!* And right as everything was wrapping up (pun intended!), POTUS held a quick press conference. It was next door at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building because the East Room is still full of decorations and he's been to the Briefing Room way too often recently! So he had a bit of a spring in his step when he gave a brief statement and then took a few questions. A little bit afterwards, it was time for him to hop on Marine One to catch up with the FLOTUS and kids in Hawaii. It was might cold and frigid while we waited about 30 minutes for him to leave the Oval Office and board the chopper. At one point I wasn't quite sure if I could feel my fingers. I've been to hundreds of departures and arrivals on the South Lawn at this point and I still think they are all incredibly cool to watch. However, the first one of the winter is always a bit eye-opening because you forget over the summer how cold it can get standing a few yards away from a helicopter. Anyway, POTUS finally came out and did something he NEVER does. In fact, neither did the previous POTUS. Mr. Obama came over to shake all of our hands and wish us a Merry Christmas! I think he paused for a second after shaking my hand and almost commented on how cold it was. But alas, he moved on and jumped on Marine One and took off for his trip to Hawaii which is obviously a much, much warmer place!

My hands were too frozen to take pictures but here is some video from a camera nearby. If you watch closely, POTUS shakes my hand at 0:43 into the clip.



*Let me remind you once again that I'm not here to make any political statements and consider myself a nonpartisan journalist. Only those who know me really well know my personal beliefs. And even then, those beliefs in no way represent my employer or anyone except myself.