President Barack Obama waves after he spoke during the SelectUSA Investment Summit on March 23, 2015 in National Harbor, Maryland. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

President Barack Obama waves after he spoke during the SelectUSA Investment Summit on March 23, 2015 in National Harbor, Maryland. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

On his final full day in the oval office, President Barack Obama is thanking his fellow Americans who he says have been “the source of goodness, resilience, and hope from which I’ve pulled strength” over the past eight years.

The president is slated to leave a customary letter of advice to his successor. But he’s addressing the American people first “because all that I’ve learned in my time in office, I’ve learned from you,” he writes. “You made me a better President, and you made me a better man.”

He also encourages everyone “regardless of party” to throw themselves into “the joyous work of citizenship”—not just during election cycles or when it’s of personal interest. “‘ll be right there with you every step of the way,” he says.

Here’s President Obama’s full letter to the American people:

My fellow Americans,

It’s a long-standing tradition for the sitting president of the United States to leave a parting letter in the Oval Office for the American elected to take his or her place. It’s a letter meant to share what we know, what we’ve learned, and what small wisdom may help our successor bear the great responsibility that comes with the highest office in our land, and the leadership of the free world.

But before I leave my note for our 45th president, I wanted to say one final thank you for the honor of serving as your 44th. Because all that I’ve learned in my time in office, I’ve learned from you. You made me a better President, and you made me a better man.

Throughout these eight years, you have been the source of goodness, resilience, and hope from which I’ve pulled strength. I’ve seen neighbors and communities take care of each other during the worst economic crisis of our lifetimes. I have mourned with grieving families searching for answers — and found grace in a Charleston church.

I’ve taken heart from the hope of young graduates and our newest military officers. I’ve seen our scientists help a paralyzed man regain his sense of touch, and wounded warriors once given up for dead walk again. I’ve seen Americans whose lives have been saved because they finally have access to medical care, and families whose lives have been changed because their marriages are recognized as equal to our own. I’ve seen the youngest of children remind us through their actions and through their generosity of our obligations to care for refugees, or work for peace, and, above all, to look out for each other.

I’ve seen you, the American people, in all your decency, determination, good humor, and kindness. And in your daily acts of citizenship, I’ve seen our future unfolding.

All of us, regardless of party, should throw ourselves into that work — the joyous work of citizenship. Not just when there’s an election, not just when our own narrow interest is at stake, but over the full span of a lifetime.

I’ll be right there with you every step of the way.

And when the arc of progress seems slow, remember: America is not the project of any one person. The single most powerful word in our democracy is the word ‘We.’ ‘We the People.’ ‘We shall overcome.’

Yes, we can.

For people who’d like to hold on a bit longer, President Obama invites them to stay connected by signing up for updates he plans to send through the Obama Foundation (the president is reportedly leasing office space in Foggy Bottom). The Obamas are sticking around in D.C., renting a house in Kalorama, so that Sasha can finish high school at Sidwell Friends.

First Lady Michelle Obama sent her sentiments via her @FLOTUS Twitter account and said people can get future updates @MichelleObama.

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